Switchable optical device and method for manufacturing of a switchable optical device

Abstract

A switchable optical device is provided having a first substrate (11), a second substrate (12) and a seal (114). The two substrates (11, 12) and the seal (114) are arranged such that a cell having a cell gap is formed and a switchable medium (10) is located inside the cell gap. The first substrate (11) has a first transparent electrode (21) and the second substrate (12) has a second transparent electrode (22). The electrodes (21, 22) are facing towards the cell gap. The two substrates (11, 12) are arranged such that the first substrate (11) has a first region (71) adjacent to a first edge (41) of the first substrate (11) which does not overlap with the second substrate (12) and the second substrate (12) has a second region (72) which does not overlap with the first substrate (11). A first electrically conducting busbar (31) is arranged in the first region (71) and a second electrically conducting busbar (32) is arranged in the second region (72). A first terminal is electrically connected to the first busbar (31) and a second terminal is electrically connected to the second busbar (32). The first substrate (11) and the second substrate (12) each have an edge deletion (116) in which the respective transparent electrode (21, 22) is removed. The edge deletion (116) is complete on the edges non-adjacent to a busbar (31, 32) and there is no edge deletion or only partial edge deletion on edges adjacent to a busbar (31, 32).

Further aspects of the invention relate to a method for designing a switchable optical device, a method for driving a switchable optical device, a method for manufacturing a switchable optical device and a system comprising a switchable optical device and a controller for driving the switchable optical device.

Claims

1. Switchable optical device (1) having a first substrate (11), a second substrate (12) and a seal (114), the two substrates (11, 12) and the seal (114) being arranged such that a cell having a cell gap is formed, a switchable medium (10) being located inside the cell gap, the first substrate (11) having a first transparent electrode (21) and the second substrate (12) having a second transparent electrode (22), the electrodes (21, 22) facing towards the cell gap, the two substrates (11, 12) being arranged such that the first substrate (11) has a first region (71) adjacent to a first edge (41) of the first substrate (11) which does not overlap with the second substrate (12) and that the second substrate (12) has a second region (72) adjacent to a second edge (42) of the second substrate (12) which does not overlap with the first substrate (11), a first electrically conducting busbar (31) being arranged in the first region (71) and a second electrically conducting busbar (32) being arranged in the second region (72), a first terminal being electrically connected to the first busbar (31) and a second terminal being electrically connected to the second busbar (32), characterized in that the first substrate (11) and the second substrate (12) each have an edge deletion (116) in which the transparent conductive electrodes (21, 22) are removed, wherein the edge deletion (116) is complete on the edges non-adjacent to a busbar (31, 32) and there is no or only partial edge deletion on edges adjacent to a busbar (31, 32).

2. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first busbar (31) is constructed as a continuous soldered line (105) in contact with the first transparent electrode (21) and arranged in the first region (71) and/or the second busbar (32) is constructed as a continuous soldered line (105) in contact with the second transparent electrode (22) and arranged in the second region (72).

3. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first busbar (31) is constructed as a first conductive strip (51) which electrically connects the first transparent electrode (21) in the first region (71) and/or the second busbar (32) is constructed as a second conductive strip (52) which electrically connects the second transparent electrode (22) in the second region (72).

4. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the electrical connection between the first conductive strip (51) and the first transparent electrode (21) and/or the electrical connection between the second conductive strip (52) and the second transparent electrode (22) is achieved by a continuous soldered line (105), continuous welded line or by a continuous line of a conductive adhesive.

5. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the electrical connection between the first conductive strip (51) and the first transparent electrode (21) and/or the electrical connection between the second conductive strip (52) and the second transparent electrode (22) is achieved by a plurality of soldered dots (106), weld spots or dots of a conductive adhesive distributed along the length of the respective conductive strip (51, 52).

6. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge deletion (116) of the first substrate (11) further includes a portion at a first end and/or a second end of the first edge (41) and/or the edge deletion (116) of the second substrate (12) further includes a portion at a first end and/or a second end of the second edge (42), wherein the respective portion has a length parallel to the respective edge (41, 42) of at least 2 mm.

7. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first terminal is a first terminal wire (61) which is arranged parallel to the first edge (41) and the second terminal is a second terminal wire (62) which is arranged parallel to the second edge (42) and wherein the position and length of the first terminal wire (61) and/or the position and length of the second terminal wire (62) are chosen such that the first terminal wire (61) does not protrude from the first substrate (11) and/or the second terminal wire (62) does not protrude from the second substrate (12).

8. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 6, wherein the first terminal is a first terminal wire (61) or an extension of the electrical conductive part of the busbar which is arranged parallel to the first edge (41) and the second terminal is a second terminal wire (62) or an extension of the electrical conductive part of the busbar which is arranged parallel to the second edge (42) and wherein the position and length of the first terminal wire (61) or the extension of the electrical conductive part of the busbar and/or the position and length of the second terminal wire (62) or the extension of the electrical conductive part of the busbar are chosen such that the first terminal wire (61) or the extension of the electrical conductive part of the busbar protrudes from the first substrate (11) and/or the second terminal wire (62) or the extension of the electrical conductive part of the busbar protrudes from the second substrate (12), wherein preferably the wire or extension protrusion is applied with electrical insulation.

9. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge finish of at least the first edge (41) of the first substrate (11) and/or of at least the second edge (42) of the second substrate (12) is a rounded edge, pencil edge, bevel edge or arrised edge.

10. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that an electrically insulating material (101) is arranged on the first substrate (11) such that a portion of the first transparent electrode (21) located in the first region (71) and the first busbar (31) are encapsulated by the insulating material (101) and/or an electrically insulating material (101) is arranged on the second substrate (12) such that a portion of the second transparent electrode (22) located in the second region (72) and the second busbar (32) are encapsulated by the insulating material (101).

11. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the insulating material (101) is selected from the group comprising single component epoxy materials, two component epoxy adhesives, single component silicone materials, two component silicone adhesives, acrylate sealants, polyurethanes, hot melt sealants, UV curing sealants and a combination of at least two of said materials.

12. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first terminal and/or the second terminal are configured as terminal wires (61, 62) having an electrically insulating jacket (112).

13. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a top coating is applied to the first transparent electrode (21) and/or the second transparent electrode (22).

14. Switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first substrate (11) and second substrate (12) are of the same size and shape.

15. Method for designing a switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheet resistance of the first transparent electrode (21) and the second transparent electrode (22) is chosen in the range of from 10 to 150 Ohm/square and the cell gap is chosen in the range of from 6 μm to 50 μm so that a RC time constant τ of a circuit formed between the first terminal (61) and the second terminal (62) is in the range of from 50 ms to 1 μs.

16. Method for electrically driving a switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a signal source providing an AC driving signal is electrically connected to the first terminal (61) and the second terminal (62) and an AC signal is being generated by the signal source, wherein the frequency of the AC signal is chosen such that the period T of the AC signal is larger than T, wherein T is the RC time constant of an RC circuit formed by the arrangement of the first transparent electrode (21), the second transparent electrode (22) and the switchable medium (10).

17. Method for manufacturing of a switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a first substrate (11) having a first transparent electrode (21) and a second substrate (12) having a second transparent electrode (22) are provided, edge deletion is performed on the first substrate (11) and on the second substrate (12) wherein the transparent conductive electrodes (21, 22) are removed in an area adjacent to the substrate edges, the edge deletion (116) of the first substrate (21) being only partial for at least a first edge (41) and complete for all further edges of the first substrate (21) and the edge deletion (116) of the second substrate (22) being only partial for at least a second edge (42) and complete for all further edges of the second substrate (22) the first substrate (11), the second substrate (12) and a seal (114) are arranged such that a cell having a cell gap is formed, and the cell is filled with at least one switchable medium (10), the two substrates (11, 12) being arranged such that the first substrate (11) has a first region (71) adjacent to the first edge (41) of the first substrate (11) which does not overlap with the second substrate (12) and that the second substrate (12) has a second region (72) adjacent to the second edge (42) of the second substrate (12) which does not overlap with the first substrate (11), optionally pre-cleaning of the portion of the first transparent electrode (21) located in the first region (71) and of the portion of the second transparent electrode (22) located in the second region (72), optionally pre-heating of at least the first region (71) of the first substrate (11) and/or pre-heating of at least the second region (72) of the second substrate (12), connecting a first busbar (31) to the first transparent electrode (21) and connecting a second busbar (32) to the second transparent electrode (22), optionally bonding of a first terminal (61) to the first busbar (31) and bonding of a second terminal (62) to the second busbar (32), dispensing of an insulating material (101) on the first substrate (11) such that the portion of the first transparent electrode (21) located in the first region (71) and the first busbar (31) are encapsulated by the insulating material (101) and/or on the second substrate (12) such that the portion of the second transparent electrode (22) located in the second region (72) and the second busbar (32) are encapsulated by the insulating material (101), curing of the insulating material (101), optionally laminating of a glass sheet to the exposed face of the first substrate (11) and/or the second substrate (12) by means of an interlayer.

18. System comprising at least one switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1 and at least one controller for applying an AC driving to the at least one switchable optical device, characterized in that the controller is configured to implement a driving method comprising: electrically driving the switchable optical device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a signal source providing an AC driving signal is electronically connected to the first terminal (61) and the second terminal (62) and an AC signal is being generated by the signal source, wherein the frequency of the AC signal is chosen such that the period T of the AC signal is larger than τ, wherein τ is the RC time constant of an RC circuit formed by the arrangement of the first transparent electrode (21), the second transparent electrode (22) and the switchable medium (10).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0092] The drawings show:

[0093] FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a switchable optical device,

[0094] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the cross section of FIG. 1,

[0095] FIG. 3 shows a top view at a substrate with a busbar of a first embodiment,

[0096] FIG. 4 shows a top view at a substrate with a busbar of a second embodiment,

[0097] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of substrates having a first embodiment of edge deletion, and

[0098] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of substrates having a second embodiment of edge deletion.

[0099] FIG. 1 shows a switchable optical device 1 having a first substrate 11 and a second substrate 12. A switchable medium 10 is sandwiched between the two substrates 11, 12, see FIG. 2.

[0100] The two substrates 11, 12 are arranged such that a first region 71 of the first substrate 11 does not overlap with the second substrate 12 and that a second region 72 does not overlap with the first substrate 11.

[0101] Adjacent to a first edge 41 of the first substrate 11, a first busbar 31 is arranged. The first busbar 31 is electrically contacted by a first terminal wire 61 and the first busbar 31 is encapsulated with an insulating material 101.

[0102] Adjacent to a second edge 42 of the second substrate 12, a second busbar 32 is arranged. The second busbar 32 is electrically contacted by a second terminal wire 62 and the second busbar 32 is encapsulated with an insulating material 101.

[0103] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged view of the left half of the cross-sectional view of FIG. 1 which includes the region adjacent to the second edge 42 of the second substrate 12. In the enlarged view, the switchable material 10 which is sandwiched between the two substrates 11, 12 is visible.

[0104] The switchable material 10 is part of a cell comprising in this order the first substrate 11, a first transparent electrode 21, the switchable material 10, a second transparent electrode 22 and the second substrate 12. The cell is sealed by a seal 114. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the first transparent electrode 21 has been partially removed by means of edge deletion so that seal 114 is directly in contact with the first substrate 11.

[0105] The second busbar 32 is arranged in the second region 72 on the second substrate 12. The second busbar 32 comprises a second conductive strip 52, which is electrically connected to the second electrode 22 by means of a conductive material 32. The conductive material 32 is, for example, a solder material and has been applied in a solder process such as ultrasonic soldering.

[0106] As can be seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 2, the second terminal wire 62 is formed by a wire core 110 and an electrically insulating jacket 112. At a position which is not visible in FIG. 2, the wire core 110 is electrically connected to the second conductive strip 52.

[0107] The second busbar 32 and the exposed parts of the second transparent electrode 22 which are located in the second region 72 are encapsulated by means of an insulting material 101 which protects and seals the busbar 32.

[0108] Further, FIG. 2 shows that the edge finish of the second edge 42 of the second substrate is a rounded or “C” shaped edge. The rounded edge protrudes from the flat area of the second substrate 12 in an edge finish region 80. By means of the edge finish region 80, the contact area between the insulating material 101 and the second substrate 12 is advantageously enlarged which improves adhesion of the insulating material 101.

[0109] FIG. 3 shows a top view at a substrate 11, 12 with a busbar 31, 32 of a first embodiment. As can be seen in the top view of FIG. 3, the transparent electrode 21, 22 has been partially removed by means of edge deletion 116. The edge deletion 116 is complete on all edges of the substrate 11, 12 except the edge 41, 42 adjacent to the busbar 31, 32. Also, edge deletion 116 has been performed on the edge finish area 80. There is no edge deletion 116 on the edge 41, 42 adjacent to the busbar 31, 32. The edge deletion 116 is symmetrical.

[0110] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the busbar 31, 32 is a conductive material 103 which is applied to the transparent electrode 21, 22 in form of a continuous soldered line 105. A terminal wire 61, 62 is bonded to the conductive material 103.

[0111] FIG. 4 shows a top view at a substrate 11, 12 with a busbar 31, 32 of a second embodiment. As can be seen in the top view of FIG. 4, the transparent electrode 21, 22 has been partially removed by means of edge deletion 116. The edge deletion 116 is complete on all edges of the substrate 11, 12 except the edge 41, 42 adjacent to the busbar 31, 32. Also, edge deletion 116 has been performed on the edge finish area 80. Further, there is a partial edge deletion 116 on the edge 41, 42 adjacent to the busbar 31, 32. The edge deletion 116 is asymmetrical.

[0112] In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the busbar 31, 32 is a conductive strip 51, 52 in form of a metal part which is electrically connected to the transparent electrode 21, 22 by means of soldered dots 106. A terminal wire 61, 62 is bonded to the conductive strip 51, 52.

[0113] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12 and an arrangement of the two substrates 11, 12 having a first embodiment of edge deletion. The edge deletion of the respective substrates 11, 12 is incomplete on one edge which is adjacent to a busbar The edge deletion is asymmetric.

[0114] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a first substrate 11, a second substrate 12 and an arrangement of the two substrates 11, 12 having a first embodiment of edge deletion. The edge deletion of the respective substrates 11, 12 is incomplete on one edge which is adjacent to a busbar The edge deletion is symmetric.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment the switchable medium, in particular the liquid-crystalline medium, is chosen such that it favourably contributes, together with the other elements of the switchable optical device and while being suitably matched with the method for driving the device, to an overall favourable performance, in particular in terms of improved reliability, e.g. with respect to the voltage holding ratio (VHR), and improved stability against unwanted stresses due to light, heat, chemicals or electric fields.

[0116] In the following Examples liquid-crystalline media are shown which may particularly favourably and preferably be used.

[0117] In the present invention and especially in the following Examples, the structures of the mesogenic compounds are indicated by means of abbreviations, also called acronyms. In these acronyms, the chemical formulae are abbreviated as follows using Tables A to C below. All groups C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1, C.sub.mH.sub.2m+1 and C.sub.lH.sub.2l+1 or C.sub.nH.sub.2n−1, C.sub.mH.sub.2m−1 and C.sub.lH.sub.2l−1 denote straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl, preferably 1 E-alkenyl, each having n, m and l C atoms respectively. Table A lists the codes used for the ring elements of the core structures of the compounds, while Table B shows the linking groups. Table C gives the meanings of the codes for the left-hand or right-hand end groups. The acronyms are composed of the codes for the ring elements with optional linking groups, followed by a first hyphen and the codes for the left-hand end group, and a second hyphen and the codes for the right-hand end group. Table D shows illustrative structures of compounds together with their respective abbreviations.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE A Ring elements C [00001] C(CN) [00002] P [00003] P(F,CN) [00004] D [00005] DI [00006] A [00007] AI [00008] G [00009] GI [00010] U [00011] UI [00012] Y [00013] M [00014] MI [00015] N [00016] NI [00017] Np [00018] dH [00019] N3f [00020] N3fI [00021] tH [00022] tHI [00023] tH2f [00024] tH2fI [00025] K [00026] KI [00027] L [00028] LI [00029] F [00030] FI [00031] Nf [00032] NfI [00033] B [00034]

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B Linking groups E —CH.sub.2CH.sub.2— Z —CO—O— V —CH═CH— Zl —O—CO— X —CF═CH— O —CH.sub.2—O— Xl —CH═CF— Ol —O—CH.sub.2— B —CF═CF— Q —CF.sub.2—O— T —C≡C— Ql —O—CF.sub.2— W —CF.sub.2CF.sub.2—

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE C End groups Right-hand side Left-hand side Use alone —n— C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1— —n —C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1 —nO— C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1—O— —On —O—C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1 —V— CH.sub.2═CH— —V —CH═CH.sub.2 —nV— C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1—CH=CH— —nV —C.sub.nH.sub.2n—CH═CH.sub.2 —Vn— CH.sub.2═CH—C.sub.mH.sub.2n+1— —Vn —CH═CH—C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1 —nVm— C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1—CH═CH—C.sub.nH.sub.2m— —nVm —C.sub.nH.sub.2n—CH═CH—C.sub.mH.sub.2m+1 —N— N≡C— —N —C≡N —S— S═C═N— —S —N=C=S —F— F— —F —F —Cl— Cl— —Cl —Cl —M— CFH.sub.2— —M —CFH.sub.2 —D— CF.sub.2H— —D —CF.sub.2H —T— CF.sub.3— —T —CF.sub.3 —MO— CFH.sub.2O— —OM —OCFH.sub.2 —DO— CF.sub.2HO— —OD —OCF.sub.2H —TO— CF.sub.3O— —OT —OCF.sub.3 —OXF— CF.sub.2═CH—O— —OXF —O—CH═CF.sub.2 —A— H—C≡C— —A —C≡C—H —nA— C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1—C≡C— —An —C≡C—C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1 —NA— N≡C—C≡C— —AN —C≡C—C≡N Use together with one another and with others — . . . A . . . — —C≡C— — . . . A . . . —C≡C— — . . . V . . . — CH═CH— — . . . V . . . —CH═CH— — . . . Z . . . — —CO—O— — . . . Z . . . —CO—O— — . . . Zl . . . — —O—CO— — . . . Zl . . . —O—CO— — . . . K . . . — —CO— — . . . K . . . —CO— — . . . W . . . — —CF═CF— — . . . W . . . —CF═CF—
in which n and m each denote integers, and the three dots “ . . . ” are placeholders for other abbreviations from this table.

[0118] The following table shows illustrative structures together with their respective abbreviations. These are shown in order to illustrate the meaning of the rules for the abbreviations. They furthermore represent compounds which are preferably used.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE D Illustrative structures [00035] CC-n-m [00036] CC-n-Om [00037] CC-n-V [00038] CC-n-Vm [00039] CC-n-mV [00040] CC-n-mVI [00041] CC-V-V [00042] CC-V-mV [00043] CC-V-Vm [00044] CC-Vn-mV [00045] CC-nV-mV [00046] CC-nV-Vm [00047] CP-n-m [00048] CP-nO-m [00049] CP-n-Om [00050] CP-V-m [00051] CP-Vn-m [00052] CP-nV-m [00053] CP-V-V [00054] CP-V-mV [00055] CP-V-Vm [00056] CP-Vn-mV [00057] CP-nV-mV [00058] CP-nV-Vm [00059] PP-n-m [00060] PP-n-Om [00061] PP-n-V [00062] PP-n-Vm [00063] PP-n-mV [00064] PP-n-mVI [00065] CCP-n-m [00066] CCP-nO-m [00067] CCP-n-Om [00068] CCP-n-V [00069] CCP-n-Vm [00070] CCP-n-mV [00071] CCP-n-mVI [00072] CCP-V-m [00073] CCP-nV-m [00074] CCP-Vn-m [00075] CCP-nVm-I [00076] CPP-n-m [00077] CPG-n-m [00078] CGP-n-m [00079] CPP-nO-m [00080] CPP-n-Om [00081] CPP-V-m [00082] CPP-nV-m [00083] CPP-Vn-m [00084] CPP-nVm-I [00085] PGP-n-m [00086] PGP-n-V [00087] PGP-n-Vm [00088] PGP-n-mV [00089] PGP-n-mVI [00090] CCEC-n-m [00091] CCEC-n-Om [00092] CCZC-n-Om [00093] CCEP-n-m [00094] CCEGI-n-m [00095] CCEP-n-F [00096] CCEP-n-Om [00097] CPPC-n-m [00098] CGPC-n-m [00099] CCPC-n-m [00100] CCZPC-n-m [00101] CCZP-n-m [00102] CCZGI-n-m [00103] CPGP-n-m [00104] CPGP-n-mV [00105] CPGP-n-mVI [00106] PGIGP-n-m [00107] CP-n-F [00108] CP-n-N [00109] CP-n-Cl [00110] GP-n-F [00111] GP-n-Cl [00112] PZG-n-N [00113] CCP-n-OT [00114] CCG-n-OT [00115] CCP-n-T [00116] CCG-n-F [00117] CCG-V-F [00118] CCG-V-F [00119] CCU-n-F [00120] CDU-n-F [00121] CPG-n-F [00122] CPU-n-F [00123] CGU-n-F [00124] PGU-n-F [00125] GGP-n-F [00126] GGP-n-Cl [00127] GIGIP-n-F [00128] GIGIP-n-Cl [00129] CCPU-n-F [00130] CCGU-n-F [00131] CPGU-n-F [00132] CPGU-n-OT [00133] DPGU-n-F [00134] PPGU-n-F [00135] CCZU-n-F [00136] CCQP-n-F [00137] CCQG-n-F [00138] CCQU-n-F [00139] PPQG-n-F [00140] PPQU-n-F [00141] PGQU-n-F [00142] GGQU-n-F [00143] PUQU-n-F [00144] MUQU-n-F [00145] NUQU-n-F [00146] CDUQU-n-F [00147] CPUQU-n-F [00148] CGUQU-n-F [00149] PGPQP-n-F [00150] PGPQG-n-F [00151] PGPQU-n-F [00152] PGUQU-n-F [00153] APUQU-n-F [00154] DGUQU-n-F [00155] CY-n-Om [00156] CY-n-m [00157] CY-V-Om [00158] CY-nV-(O)m [00159] CVC-n-m [00160] CVY-V-m [00161] CEY-V-m [00162] PY-n-(0)m [00163] CCP-V-m [00164] CCP-Vn-m [00165] CCY-n-m [00166] CCY-n-Om [00167] CCY-V-m [00168] CCY-Vn-m [00169] CCY-V-Om [00170] CCY-n-OmV [00171] CCY-n-zOm [00172] CCOC-n-m [00173] CPY-n-(O)m [00174] CPY-V-Om [00175] CQY-n-(O)m [00176] CQIY-n-(O)m [00177] CCQY-n-(O)m [00178] CCQIY-n-(O)m [00179] CPQY-n-(O)m [00180] CPQIY-n-Om [00181] CLY-n-(O)m [00182] CYLI-n-m [00183] LYLI-n-m [00184] LY-n-(O)m [00185] PGIGI-n-F [00186] PGP-n-m [00187] PYP-n-(O)m [00188] PYP-n-mV [00189] YPY-n-m [00190] YPY-n-mV [00191] BCH-nm [00192] BCH-nmF [00193] CPYP-n-(O)m [00194] CPGP-n-m [00195] CPYC-n-m [00196] CYYC-n-m [00197] CCYY-n-m [00198] CPYG-n-(O)m [00199] CBC-nm [00200] CBC-nmF [00201] CNap-n-Om [00202] CCNap-n-Om [00203] CENap-n-Om [00204] TNap-n-Om [00205] CETNap-n-Om [00206] CK-n-F [00207] DFDBC-n(O)-(O)m [00208] C-DFDBF-n-(O)m [00209] B-n(O)-(O)m [00210] B(S)-n(O)-(O)m [00211] CC(CN)-n-m [00212] CC(CN)C-n-m [00213] PPC(CN)-n-m [00214] CPP(F,CN)-n-Om
in which n, m and l preferably, independently of one another, denote 1 to 9, more preferably 1 to 7.

[0119] In an embodiment the switching media, in particular the liquid-crystalline media, used according to the invention may contain one or more stabilizers, one or more chiral dopants and/or one or more dichroic dyes. In this respect, the following Table E shows illustrative and preferred compounds which can optionally be used in the media.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE E [00215] ST-1 [00216] ST-2 [00217] ST-3 [00218] ST-4 [00219] ST-5 [00220] R/S-811 [00221] RS-1011 [00222] R/S-2011 [00223] R/S-5011 [00224] CB 15 [00225] D-1 [00226] D-2 [00227] D-3 [00228] D-4 [00229] D-5 [00230] D-6 [00231] D-7 [00232] D-8 [00233] D-9 [00234] D-10 [00235] D-11 [00236] D-12 [00237] D-13 [00238] D-14

[0120] The liquid-crystalline media preferably comprise 0 to 10% by weight, in particular 1 ppm to 5% by weight, particularly preferably 1 ppm to 1% by weight, of stabilisers.

[0121] The liquid-crystalline media according to the present invention preferably comprise seven or more, preferably eight or more, individual compounds selected from the group of compounds from Table D, preferably three or more, particularly preferably four or more having different formulae selected from the formulae shown in Table D.

[0122] All percent data and amount ratios given herein are percent by weight unless explicitly indicated otherwise.

[0123] The following examples are merely illustrative of the present invention and they should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention in any way. The examples and modifications or other equivalents thereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art in the light of the present disclosure.

EXAMPLES

[0124] In the Examples, [0125] V.sub.o denotes threshold voltage, capacitive [V] at 20° C., [0126] n.sub.e denotes extraordinary refractive index at 20° C. and 589 nm, [0127] n.sub.o denotes ordinary refractive index at 20° C. and 589 nm, [0128] Δn denotes optical anisotropy at 20° C. and 589 nm, [0129] ε∥ denotes dielectric permittivity parallel to the director at 20° C. and 1 kHz, [0130] ε⊥ denotes dielectric permittivity perpendicular to the director at 20° C. and 1 kHz, [0131] Δε denotes dielectric anisotropy at 20° C. and 1 kHz, [0132] cl.p., T(N,I) denotes clearing point [° C.], [0133] γ.sub.1 denotes rotational viscosity measured at 20° C. [mPa.Math.s], determined by the rotation method in a magnetic field, [0134] K.sub.1 denotes elastic constant, “splay” deformation at 20° C. [pN], [0135] K.sub.2 denotes elastic constant, “twist” deformation at 20° C. [pN], [0136] K.sub.3 denotes elastic constant, “bend” deformation at 20° C. [pN],

[0137] The term “threshold voltage” for the present invention relates to the capacitive threshold (V.sub.0), unless explicitly indicated otherwise. In the Examples, as is generally usual, the optical threshold can also be indicated for 10% relative contrast (V.sub.10).

Reference Example 1

[0138] A liquid-crystal base mixture B-1 is prepared and characterized with respect to its general physical properties, having the composition and properties as indicated in the following table.

TABLE-US-00006 CPG-3-F 5.00% clearing point [° C.]: 114.5 CPG-5-F 5.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.135 CPU-3-F 15.00% n.sub.e [589 nm, 20° C.]: 1.63 CPU-5-F 15.00% Δ∈ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 11.3 CP-3-N 16.00% ∈.sub.⊥ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 4.2 CP-5-N 16.00% K.sub.1 [pN, 20° C.]: 13.4 CCGU-3-F 7.00% K.sub.3 [pN, 20° C.]: 18.5 CBC-33F 4.00% V.sub.0 [V, 20° C.]: 1.15 CBC-53F 4.00% CBC-55F 4.00% CCZPC-3-3 3.00% CCZPC-3-4 3.00% CCZPC-3-5 3.00% Σ 100.00%

[0139] A host mixture H-1 is prepared by mixing 99.97% of mixture B-1 with 0.03% of the compound ST-1. A mixture M-1 is prepared by adding 0.17% of D-1, 0.26% of D-2, 0.09% of D-3, 0.17% of D4 and 0.20% of D-5 as given in Table E to the host mixture H-1.

Reference Example 2

[0140] A liquid-crystal host mixture H-2 is prepared and characterized with respect to its general physical properties, having the composition and properties as indicated in the following table.

TABLE-US-00007 CPG-3-F 8.00% clearing point [° C.]: 114 CPG-5-F 8.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.130 CPU-5-F 14.00% n.sub.e [589 nm, 20° C.]: 1.62 CPU-7-F 11.00% Δ∈ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 10.0 CP-5-N 18.00% ∈.sub.⊥ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 4.0 CP-7-N 13.00% CCGU-3-F 7.00% CC-3-O3 2.00% CBC-33F 4.00% CBC-53F 4.00% CBC-55F 3.00% CCZPC-3-3 3.00% CCZPC-3-4 3.00% CCZPC-3-5 2.00% Σ 100.00%

[0141] A mixture M-2.1 is prepared by adding 0.05% of S-811, 0.03% of ST-1, 0.085% of D-3, 0.16% of D-4 and 0.21% of D-5 as given in Table E to mixture H-2.

[0142] A mixture M-2.2 is prepared by adding 0.1% of ST-2, 0.1% of ST-3, 0.33% of D-3, 0.58% of D-4 and 0.69% of D-5 as given in Table E to mixture H-2.

[0143] A mixture M-2.3 is prepared by adding 0.30% of ST-2, 0.25% of ST-3, 0.34% of D-3, 0.72% of D-4 and 0.87% of D-5 as given in Table E to mixture H-2.

[0144] A mixture M-2.4 is prepared by adding 0.10% of D-3, 0.17% of D-4 and 0.17% of D-5 as given in Table E to mixture H-2.

[0145] A mixture M-2.5 is prepared by adding 0.03% of ST-1, 1.0% of D-3, 1.7% of D-4 and 0.185% of D-5 as given in Table E to mixture H-2.

[0146] A mixture M-2.6 is prepared by adding 0.03% of ST-1, 0.05% of S-811, 0.13% of D-3, 0.27% of D-4 and 0.34% of D-5 as given in Table E to mixture H-2.

Reference Example 3

[0147] A liquid-crystal host mixture H-3 is prepared and characterized with respect to its general physical properties, having the composition and properties as indicated in the following table.

TABLE-US-00008 CY-3-O2 9.00% clearing point [° C.]: 110.5 CY-3-O4 9.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.132 CY-5-O2 12.00% n.sub.e [589 nm, 20° C.]: 1.62 CY-5-O4 8.00% Δ∈ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −4.9 CCY-3-O2 5.00% ∈.sub.⊥ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 8.8 CCY-3-O3 5.00% K.sub.1 [pN, 20° C.]: 16.8 CCY-4-O2 5.00% K.sub.3 [pN, 20° C.]: 20.4 CPY-2-O2 7.00% V.sub.0 [V, 20° C.]: 2.14 CPY-3-O2 6.00% PYP-2-3 12.00% CCP-V-1 6.00% CCZPC-3-3 3.00% CCZPC-3-4 3.00% CBC-33F 5.00% CBC-53F 5.00% Σ 100.00%

[0148] A mixture M-3 is prepared by adding 0.030% of ST-1, 0.86% of S-811, 0.28% of D-3, 0.51% of D-4 and 0.79% of D-5 as given in Table E to mixture H-3.

Reference Example 4

[0149] A liquid-crystal host mixture H-4 is prepared and characterized with respect to its general physical properties, having the composition and properties as indicated in the following table.

TABLE-US-00009 CY-3-O4 25.00% clearing point [° C.]: 75.4 CCY-3-O2 6.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.100 CCY-3-O3 7.00% n.sub.e [589 nm, 20° C.]: 1.58 CPY-2-O2 8.00% Δ∈ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −3.0 CPY-3-O2 8.00% ∈.sub.⊥ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 6.4 PYP-2-3 3.00% K.sub.1 [pN, 20° C.]: 12.8 CC-3-V1 9.00% K.sub.3 [pN, 20° C.]: 14.4 CC-3-V 25.00% V.sub.0 [V, 20° C.]: 2.32 BCH-32 9.00% Σ 100.00%

[0150] A mixture M-4 is prepared by adding 0.054% of D-3, 0.10% of D-4 and 0.11% of D-5 as given in Table E to mixture H-4.

Reference Example 5

[0151] A liquid-crystal host mixture H-5 is prepared and characterized with respect to its general physical properties, having the composition and properties as indicated in the following table.

TABLE-US-00010 CCU-1-F 5.00% clearing point [° C.]: 85 CCU-2-F 8.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.071 CCU-3-F 10.00% n.sub.e [589 nm, 20° C.]: 1.55 CCQU-3-F 11.00% Δ∈ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 4.2 CCQU-5-F 9.00% ∈.sub.⊥ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 3.2 CCZC-3-3 3.00% CCZC-4-5 3.00% CCZPC-3-5 3.00% CC-3-O1 11.00% CP-3-O1 12.00% CC-3-V1 6.00% CCP-V-1 10.00% CC-5-V 9.00% Σ 100.00%

[0152] A mixture M-5 is prepared by adding 0.005% of D-3, 0.007% of D-4 and 0.008% of D-5 as given in Table E to mixture H-4.

Reference Example 6

[0153] A liquid-crystal host mixture H-6 is prepared and characterized with respect to its general physical properties, having the composition and properties as indicated in the following table.

TABLE-US-00011 PGIGI-3-F 10.00% clearing point [° C.]: 105 CPG-2-F 6.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.160 CPG-3-F 7.00% n.sub.e [589 nm, 20° C.]: 1.66 CPG-5-F 5.00% Δ∈ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 11.4 CPU-5-F 10.00% ∈.sub.⊥ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 4.3 CPG-7-F 10.00% PGU-3-F 4.00% PGU-5-F 7.00% CCGU-3-F 8.00% CPP-3-2 4.00% CBC-33F 3.00% CBC-53F 3.00% CBC-55F 3.00% CPGU-3-OT 5.00% CP-5-N 15.00% Σ 100.00%

[0154] A mixture M-6 is prepared by adding 0.11% of D-3, 0.22% of D-4 and 0.24% of D-5 as given in Table E to mixture H-4.

Reference Example 7

[0155] A liquid-crystal host mixture H-7 is prepared and characterized with respect to its general physical properties, having the composition and properties as indicated in the following table.

TABLE-US-00012 CP-3-N 6.00% clearing point [° C.]: 111.0 CCY-3-O1 8.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.191 CCY-3-O2 11.00% n.sub.e [589 nm, 20° C.]: 1.70 CPY-2-O2 12.00% Δ∈ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: −2.9 CPY-3-O2 15.00% ∈.sub.⊥ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 9.0 PGIGI-3-F 8.00% PY-3-O2 10.00% PYP-2-3 15.00% PYP-2-4 15.00% Σ 100.00%

[0156] A mixture M-7 is prepared by adding 0.26% of D-3, 0.40% of D4 and 0.74% of D-5 as given in Table E to the host mixture H-7.

Reference Example 8

[0157] A liquid-crystal base mixture B-8 is prepared and characterized with respect to its general physical properties, having the composition and properties as indicated in the following table.

TABLE-US-00013 GGP-5-CI 17.00% Clearing point: 101.0° C. PGIGI-3-F 7.00% Δn [589 nm, 20° C.]: 0.181 CPG-2-F 8.00% n.sub.e [589 nm, 20° C.]: 1.693 CPG-3-F 8.00% Δ∈ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 13.2 CPG-5-F 5.00% ∈.sub.∥ [1 kHz, 20° C.]: 18.0 CGU-2-F 7.00% CGU-3-F 7.00% CGU-5-F 4.00% PGU-2-F 8.00% PGU-3-F 8.00% CPGU-3-F 10.00% CPP-3-2 5.00% CGPC-3-3 3.00% CGPC-5-3 3.00% Σ 100.00%

[0158] A cholesteric mixture C-8 is prepared by mixing 97.01% of mixture B-8, 0.42% of R-5011 as shown in Table E above, 1.25% of compound of formula RM-A

##STR00239##

[0159] 0.62% of compound of formula RM-B

##STR00240##

[0160] 0.62% of compound of formula RM-C

##STR00241##

and 0.08% of Irgacure® 651

[0161] ##STR00242##

available from Ciba, Switzerland.

[0162] The obtained pitch of mixture C-8 is 1.84 μm. The mixture is polymerised in the switchable device by irradiating with UV light (UVA and UVB, 3.5 mW/cm.sup.2 light intensity) while a square-wave voltage (70V, 60 Hz) is applied.

Reference Example 9

[0163] A liquid-crystal base mixture B-9 is prepared, having the composition as indicated in the following table.

TABLE-US-00014 CCGU-3-F 8.00% CPU-5-F 10.00% PGU-5-F 7.00% PGIGI-3-F 10.00% CPG-2-F 6.00% CPU-7-F 10.00% CPG-3-F 7.00% CBC-53F 3.00% CPG-5-F 5.00% CBC-55F 3.00% BCH-32 4.00% CP-7-N 15.00% PGU-3-F 4.00% CPGU-3-OT 5.00% CBC-33F 3.00% Σ 100.00%

[0164] A cholesteric mixture C-9 is prepared by adding 0.03% of ST-1 and 0.45% of R-5011 as given Table E above and 0.75% of compound of formula RM-D

##STR00243##

to the base mixture B-9.

[0165] The mixture is polymerised in the switchable device by irradiating with UV light (UVA and UVB, 3.5 mW/cm.sup.2 light intensity) while a square-wave voltage (70V, 60 Hz) is applied.

Reference Example 10

[0166] A mixture M-10 is prepared by mixing 98.98% of mixture H-3 as shown in Reference Example 3 above, 0.08% of ST-1, 0.16% of D-3, 0.35% of D-4 and 0.43% of D-5 as given in Table E.

Examples 1 to 10

[0167] The mixtures as prepared in Reference Examples 1 to 10 are respectively filled and used in the cells of the switchable optical devices according to the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0168] 1 switchable optical device [0169] 10 switchable medium [0170] 11 first substrate [0171] 12 second substrate [0172] 21 first transparent electrode [0173] 22 second transparent electrode [0174] 31 first busbar [0175] 32 second busbar [0176] 41 first edge [0177] 42 second edge [0178] 51 first conductive strip [0179] 52 second conductive strip [0180] 61 first terminal wire [0181] 62 second terminal wire [0182] 71 first region [0183] 72 second region [0184] 80 edge finish region [0185] 101 insulating material [0186] 103 conductive material [0187] 105 continuous soldered line [0188] 106 soldered dot [0189] 110 wire core [0190] 112 wire jacket [0191] 114 seal [0192] 116 edge deletion