ELECTRICALLY CONTROLLED SMART WINDOW, PREPARATION METHOD THEREOF, AND LIGHT-ADJUSTING METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

An electrically controlled smart window, which includes two light-transmitting substrates arranged oppositely, a power supply component and an in-between light-adjusting area. Hereinto the light-adjusting area is divided into a matrix of light-adjusting units by pixel wall(s), and every units are closely arranged in a grid shape. To the power supply component, an electrode is connected with the pixel wall, and another is localized on the center of light-adjusting unit and did with the light-transmitting substrate. Both surface-charged liquid crystal polymer particles and conductive filling liquid are filled into the medium between the two light-transmitting substrates. According to the present disclosure, cholesteric liquid crystal polymer microparticles with specific reflection band and surface charges are used as basic reflectors, thereby achieving the significant advantages of being easy to manufacture, low cost, and stable performance, without causing interference to electromagnetic signals.

Claims

1. An electrically controlled smart window, comprising: two light-transmitting substrates arranged oppositely; a power supply component; a light-adjusting area between the light-transmitting substrates, wherein the light-adjusting area is divided into a plurality of light-adjusting units by pixel wall(s), and the light-adjusting units are closely arranged in a grid shape, one pole of the power supply component is connected with the pixel wall, and the other pole of the power supply component is connected with the light-transmitting substrate corresponding to a center of each light-adjusting unit; and liquid crystal polymer particles and a filling liquid filled between the two light-transmitting substrates, wherein surfaces of the liquid crystal polymer particles are charged.

2. The electrically controlled smart window of claim 1, wherein the surfaces of the liquid crystal polymer particles are subjected to protonation or ionization processing.

3. The electrically controlled smart window of claim 2, wherein the liquid crystal polymer particles are processed with an ionic surfactant, weak acid or weak base.

4. The electrically controlled smart window of claim 1, wherein the filling liquid comprises a colorless, transparent and non-electrolytic conducting liquid with a viscosity close to that of water and a density close to that of the liquid crystal polymer particles.

5. The electrically controlled smart window of claim 4, wherein the filling liquid comprises pure water, brine, low-density conducting silicone oil, an ionic liquid or an electrolyte alcohol solution.

6. A method for preparing the electrically controlled smart window of claim 1, comprising: S1. performing protonation or ionization processing to the surfaces of the liquid crystal polymer particles to charge the surfaces of the particles; S2. taking a light-transmitting substrate with a conducting pixel wall as a lower substrate, and forming a frame around the lower substrate with a spacer; S3. uniformly mixing the filling liquid and the charged liquid crystal polymer particles, and filling the mixture into the light-adjusting area; S4. attaching a light-transmitting substrate used as an upper substrate to the lower substrate to form a light-adjusting box, and a dot electrode being arranged on the upper substrate corresponding to the center of each light-adjusting unit; and S5. sealing an edge of the light-adjusting area, and respectively connecting two poles of the power supply component with the pixel wall and the dot electrode of the upper substrate.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the liquid crystal polymer particles are prepared according to the following steps of: S1. taking two light-transmitting substrates, and respectively coating a vertical alignment layer on inner surfaces of the two light-transmitting substrates; S2. placing the surfaces of the two light-transmitting substrates coated with the vertical alignment layer in parallel inwardly, and packaging the two light-transmitting substrates with the spacer in a middle to form a liquid crystal box; S3. filling a solution mixed with a photoinitiator, a polymerization inhibitor and a liquid crystal monomer into the liquid crystal box, and irradiating, or heating and curing by ultraviolet light, so as to obtain a liquid crystal film; and S4. taking out the liquid crystal film and physically crushing the liquid crystal film to prepare the liquid crystal polymer particles; or directly preparing the liquid crystal polymer particles by combining a mask plate or a template method during curing.

8. A light-adjusting method for the electrically controlled smart window of claim 1, wherein reflection and absorption of light in a specific wave band are adjusted by controlling movement of the charged polymer particles through powering on and off.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0052] FIG. 1 is a structure schematic diagram of an electrically controlled smart window;

[0053] FIG. 2 is a structure schematic diagram of a single light-adjusting unit;

[0054] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating distribution of liquid crystal polymer particles in the electrically controlled smart window in an unpowered state;

[0055] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating distribution of the liquid crystal polymer particles in the electrically controlled smart window in a powered state; and

[0056] FIG. 5 illustrates a reflectivity of the electrically controlled smart window in a first embodiment and a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] The present disclosure is further described below with reference to the detailed embodiments.

First Embodiment

[0058] An electrically controlled smart window, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, comprises:

[0059] two light-transmitting substrates 1 arranged oppositely, a power supply component 2 and a light-adjusting area between the light-transmitting substrates, wherein the light-adjusting area is divided into a plurality of light-adjusting units by pixel wall 3, and the light-adjusting units are closely arranged in a grid shape; one pole of the power supply component 2 is connected with the pixel wall 3, and the other pole of the power supply component is connected with the light-transmitting substrate corresponding to a center of each light-adjusting unit; and

[0060] liquid crystal polymer particles and a filling liquid are filled between the two light-transmitting substrates, and surfaces of the liquid crystal polymer particles are charged.

[0061] The electrically controlled smart window is prepared according to the following steps of:

[0062] S1. taking two light-transmitting substrates, and respectively coating a vertical alignment layer on inner surfaces of the two light-transmitting substrates;

[0063] S2. placing the surfaces of the two light-transmitting substrates coated with the vertical alignment layer in parallel inwardly, and packaging the two light-transmitting substrates with the spacer in a middle to form a liquid crystal box;

[0064] S3. filling a solution mixed with a photoinitiator, a polymerization inhibitor, a nematic liquid crystal and a chiral liquid crystal (component and content are shown in Table 1) into the liquid crystal box, and irradiating by ultraviolet light, so as to obtain a liquid crystal film;

[0065] S4. taking out the liquid crystal film, and physically crushing the liquid crystal film to prepare the liquid crystal polymer particles with uniform size;

[0066] S5. processing the liquid crystal polymer particles with a sodium anion surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate to negatively charge the surfaces of the particles;

[0067] S6. taking a light-transmitting substrate with a conducting pixel wall as a lower substrate, and forming a frame around the lower substrate with a spacer;

[0068] S7. uniformly mixing the filling liquid of a brine and the charged liquid crystal polymer particles, and filling the mixture into the light-adjusting area to fully fill the whole substrate area;

[0069] S8. using a light-transmitting substrate as an upper substrate, and completely attaching the upper substrate with the lower substrate after aligning to form an electrically controlled light-transmitting box filled with a dispersion liquid of the liquid crystal polymer particles in the middle, and a dot electrode being arranged on the upper substrate corresponding to the center of each light-adjusting unit; and

[0070] S9. sealing an edge of the light-adjusting area, and respectively connecting two poles of the power supply component with the pixel wall and the dot electrode of the upper substrate.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Component and Content of Liquid Crystal Component Content (wt %) Nematic liquid crystal A 21.14 B 42.29 C 32.22 Chiral liquid crystal 2.32 Photoinitiator 2.01 Polymerization inhibitor 0.02

[0071] The nematic liquid crystal A is (4-(3-acryloyloxypropoxy) benzoic acid 2-methyl-1,4-phenyl ester, the nematic liquid crystal B is 4-cyanophenyl 4-(6-acryloyloxyhexyloxy) benzoic acid ester, the nematic liquid crystal C is 4-[[6-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)oxy]hexyl]oxy]benzoic acid 4-methoxy phenyl ester, the chiral liquid crystal is 4-(3-(acryloyloxypropoxy)benzoyloxy-1 benzoic acid 2,6-dioxo-4,8-(1,5-linked) octacyclic ester, the photoinitiator is phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, and the polymerization inhibitor is hydroquinone. The nematic liquid crystal A has two polymerizable acrylate groups at the tail end, which is used as a monomer crosslinking agent.

[0072] As shown in FIG. 3, the charged liquid crystal polymer particles 4 in the light-adjusting area are uniformly suspended in the filling liquid in an unpowered state, the particles are uniformly and horizontally arranged in the light-adjusting area, and at the moment, light waves irradiate on the reflecting particles to selectively reflect and transmit light of a specific wavelength.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 4, the charged liquid crystal polymer particles 4 are aggregated and adsorbed near the pixel wall in a powered state, and light directly transmitting the particles instead of irradiating on the particles, thus control the light transmission and reflection effect.

[0074] FIG. 5 illustrates a reflectivity of the electrically controlled smart window, corresponding to control of a visible light wave band.

Second Embodiment

[0075] The structure of the electrically controlled smart window is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0076] The electronic control smart window is prepared according to the following steps of:

[0077] S1. taking two light-transmitting substrates, and respectively coating a vertical alignment layer on inner surfaces of the two light-transmitting substrates;

[0078] S2. placing the surfaces of the two light-transmitting substrates coated with the vertical alignment layer in parallel inwardly, and packaging the two light-transmitting substrates with the spacer in a middle to form a liquid crystal box;

[0079] S3. filling a solution mixed with a photoinitiator, a polymerization inhibitor, a nematic liquid crystal and a chiral liquid crystal (component and content are shown in Table 2) into the liquid crystal box, and irradiating and curing by ultraviolet light, so as to obtain a liquid crystal film;

[0080] S4. taking out the liquid crystal film, and physically crushing the liquid crystal film to prepare the liquid crystal polymer particles with uniform size;

[0081] S5. processing the liquid crystal polymer particles with a cationic surfactant cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide to positively charge the surfaces of the particles;

[0082] S6. taking a light-transmitting substrate with a conducting pixel wall as a lower substrate, and forming a frame around the lower substrate with a spacer;

[0083] S7. uniformly mixing the filling liquid of an ionic liquid and the charged liquid crystal polymer particles, and filling the mixture into the light-adjusting area to fully fill the whole substrate area;

[0084] S8. using a light-transmitting substrate as an upper substrate, and completely attaching the upper substrate with the lower substrate after aligning to form an electrically controlled light-transmitting box filled with a dispersion liquid of the liquid crystal polymer particles in the middle, and a dot electrode being arranged on the upper substrate corresponding to the center of each light-adjusting unit; and

[0085] S9. sealing an edge of the light-adjusting area, and respectively connecting two poles of the power supply component with the pixel wall and the dot electrode of the upper substrate.

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Component and Content of Liquid Crystal Component Content (wt %) Nematic liquid crystal A 20.96 B 41.92 C 31.44 Chiral liquid crystal 2.32 Photoinitiator 2.01 Polymerization inhibitor 0.02

[0086] The nematic liquid crystal A is (4-(3-acryloyloxypropoxy) benzoic acid 2-methyl-1,4-phenyl ester, the nematic liquid crystal B is 4-cyanophenyl 4-(6-acryloyloxyhexyloxy) benzoic acid ester, the nematic liquid crystal C is 4-[[6-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)oxy]hexyl]oxy]benzoic acid 4-methoxy phenyl ester, the chiral liquid crystal is 4-(3-(acryloyloxypropoxy)benzoyloxy-1 benzoic acid 2,6-dioxo-4,8-(1,5-linked) octacyclic ester, the photoinitiator is phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, and the polymerization inhibitor is hydroquinone.

[0087] The charged liquid crystal polymer particles in the light-adjusting area are uniformly suspended in the filling liquid in an unpowered state, the particles are uniformly and horizontally arranged in the light-adjusting area, and at the moment, light waves irradiate on the reflecting particles to selectively reflect and transmit light of a specific wavelength.

[0088] The charged liquid crystal polymer particles are aggregated and adsorbed near the pixel wall in a powered state, and light directly transmitting the particles instead of irradiating on the particles, thus control the light transmission and reflection effect.

[0089] FIG. 5 illustrates a reflectivity of the electrically controlled smart window, corresponding to control of an infrared light wave band.

[0090] In the embodiment, the visible light wave band is selectively reflected by changing the ratio of the liquid crystal.

Third Embodiment

[0091] The structure of the electrically controlled smart window is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0092] The electronic control smart window is prepared according to the following steps of:

[0093] S1. taking two light-transmitting substrates, and respectively coating a vertical alignment layer on inner surfaces of the two light-transmitting substrates;

[0094] S2. placing the surfaces of the two light-transmitting substrates coated with the vertical alignment layer in parallel inwardly, and packaging the two light-transmitting substrates with the spacer in a middle to form a liquid crystal box;

[0095] S3. filling a solution mixed with a photoinitiator, a polymerization inhibitor, a nematic liquid crystal and a chiral liquid crystal (component and content are shown in Table 3) into the liquid crystal box, and heating and curing, so as to obtain a liquid crystal film;

[0096] S4. directly preparing the liquid crystal polymer particles by combining a mask plate or a template method;

[0097] S5. processing the liquid crystal polymer particles with weak base to deprotonate and negatively charge the liquid crystal polymer particles;

[0098] S6. taking a light-transmitting substrate with a conducting pixel wall as a lower substrate, and forming a frame around the lower substrate with a spacer;

[0099] S7. uniformly mixing the filling liquid of ethyl alcohol and the charged liquid crystal polymer particles, and filling the mixture into the light-adjusting area to fully fill the whole substrate area;

[0100] S8. using a light-transmitting substrate as an upper substrate, and completely attaching the upper substrate with the lower substrate after aligning to form an electrically controlled light-transmitting box filled with a dispersion liquid of the liquid crystal polymer particles in the middle, and a dot electrode being arranged on the upper substrate corresponding to the center of each light-adjusting unit; and

[0101] S9. sealing an edge of the light-adjusting area, and respectively connecting two poles of the power supply component with the pixel wall and the dot electrode of the upper substrate.

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Component and Content of Liquid Crystal Component Content (wt %) Nematic liquid crystal A 20.54 B 41.39 C 33.72 Chiral liquid crystal 2.32 Photoinitiator 2.01 Polymerization inhibitor 0.02

[0102] The nematic liquid crystal A is (4-(3-acryloyloxypropoxy) benzoic acid 2-methyl-1,4-phenyl ester, the nematic liquid crystal B is 4-carboxylphenyl 4-(6-acryloyloxyhexyloxy) benzoic acid ester, the nematic liquid crystal C is 4-[[6-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)oxy]hexyl]oxy]benzoic acid 4-methoxy phenyl ester, the chiral liquid crystal is 4-(3-(acryloyloxypropoxy)benzoyloxy-1 benzoic acid 2,6-dioxo-4,8-(1,5-linked) octacyclic ester, the photoinitiator is phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, and the polymerization inhibitor is hydroquinone.

[0103] The charged liquid crystal polymer particles in the light-adjusting area are uniformly suspended in the filling liquid in an unpowered state, the particles are uniformly and horizontally arranged in the light-adjusting area, and at the moment, light waves irradiate on the reflecting particles to selectively reflect and transmit light of a specific wavelength.

[0104] The charged liquid crystal polymer particles are aggregated and adsorbed near the pixel wall in a powered state, and light directly transmitting the particles instead of irradiating on the particles, thus control the light transmission and reflection effect.

[0105] In the embodiment, the visible light wave band is selectively reflected by changing the ratio of the liquid crystal, and one component in the liquid crystal formula has a carboxyl group at the tail end, which may be deprotonated and negatively charged.

Fourth Embodiment

[0106] The structure of the electrically controlled smart window is the same as that in the first embodiment.

[0107] The electronic control smart window is prepared according to the following steps of:

[0108] S1. taking two light-transmitting substrates, and respectively coating a vertical alignment layer on inner surfaces of the two light-transmitting substrates;

[0109] S2. placing the surfaces of the two light-transmitting substrates coated with the vertical alignment layer in parallel inwardly, and packaging the two light-transmitting substrates with the spacer in a middle to form a liquid crystal box;

[0110] S3. filling a solution mixed with a photoinitiator, a polymerization inhibitor, a nematic liquid crystal and a chiral liquid crystal (component and content are shown in Table 4) into the liquid crystal box, and irradiating and curing by ultraviolet light, so as to obtain a liquid crystal film;

[0111] S4. taking out the liquid crystal film, and physically crushing the liquid crystal film to prepare the liquid crystal polymer particles with uniform size;

[0112] S5. processing the liquid crystal polymer particles with weak acid to protonate and positively charge the liquid crystal polymer particles;

[0113] S6. taking a light-transmitting substrate with a conducting pixel wall as a lower substrate, and forming a frame around the lower substrate with a spacer;

[0114] S7. uniformly mixing the filling liquid of a brine and the charged liquid crystal polymer particles, and filling the mixture into the light-adjusting area to fully fill the whole substrate area;

[0115] S8. using a light-transmitting substrate as an upper substrate, and completely attaching the upper substrate with the lower substrate after aligning to form an electrically controlled light-transmitting box filled with a dispersion liquid of the liquid crystal polymer particles in the middle, and a dot electrode being arranged on the upper substrate corresponding to the center of each light-adjusting unit; and

[0116] S9. sealing an edge of the light-adjusting area, and respectively connecting two poles of the power supply component with the pixel wall and the dot electrode of the upper substrate.

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Component and Content of Liquid Crystal Component Content (wt %) Nematic liquid crystal 21.98 21.98 42.03 42.03 31.64 31.64 Chiral liquid crystal 2.32 Photoinitiator 2.01 Polymerization inhibitor 0.02

[0117] The nematic liquid crystal A is (4-(3-acryloyloxypropoxy) benzoic acid 2-methyl-1,4-phenyl ester, the nematic liquid crystal B is 4-aminophenyl 4-(6-acryloyloxyhexyloxy) benzoic acid ester, the nematic liquid crystal C is 4-[[6-[(1-oxo-2-propenyl)oxy]hexyl]oxy]benzoic acid 4-methoxy phenyl ester, the chiral liquid crystal is 4-(3-(acryloyloxypropoxy)benzoyloxy-1 benzoic acid 2,6-dioxo-4,8-(1,5-linked) octacyclic ester, the photoinitiator is phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)phosphine oxide, and the polymerization inhibitor is hydroquinone.

[0118] The charged liquid crystal polymer particles in the light-adjusting area are uniformly suspended in the filling liquid in an unpowered state, the particles are uniformly and horizontally arranged in the light-adjusting area, and at the moment, light waves irradiate on the reflecting particles to selectively reflect and transmit light of a specific wavelength.

[0119] The charged liquid crystal polymer particles are aggregated and adsorbed near the pixel wall in a powered state, and light directly transmitting the particles instead of irradiating on the particles, thus control the light transmission and reflection effect.

[0120] In the embodiment, the visible light wave band is selectively reflected by changing the ratio of the liquid crystal, and one component in the liquid crystal formula has an amino group at the tail end, which may be protonated and positively charged.

[0121] The foregoing is only detailed embodiments of the present disclosure, but the protection scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments. Those skilled in the art can easily think up of modifications or replacements in the technical scope disclosed by the present disclosure, which shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure shall be subject to the protection scope limited by the claims.