WO2016008375A1

WO2016008375A1 - Switchable glass structure and vehicle window cross-reference to related applications

Info

Publication number: WO2016008375A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/083530
Authority: WO
Inventors: Xiaohuan Zhang; Songlin SHI; Shuai ZHANG; Maowen YUAN
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Glass France
Priority date: 2014-07-14
Filing date: 2015-07-08
Publication date: 2016-01-21
Also published as: EP3170050A4; EA201691025A1; JP2017502903A; EP3170050A1; KR102127226B1; EA036547B1; WO2016008375A8; CN105334658A; JP6374508B2; KR20180030951A; BR112016010711A2; BR112016010711B1; KR20160088369A

Abstract

A switchable glass structure and a vehicle window are provided. The switchable glass structure includes: a first glass(102)； a second glass(103) disposed opposite to the first glass(102), each of the first(102) and the second glass(103) including at least two surfaces； a polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly(101) between the first glass(102) and the second glass(103)； and an anti-radiation coating(10) located on at least one surface of the first(102) and the second glass(103), the at least one surface being adjacent to the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly(101). The vehicle window is provided with the above switchable glass structure. The anti-radiation coating(10) may have good capability of reflecting infrared lights, thus, most infrared lights with high energy are reflected by the anti-radiation coating(10) and cannot pass through the switchable glass structure, and the switchable glass structure may have improved capability of heat insulation.

Description

SWITCHABLE GLASS STRUCTURE AND VEHICLE WINDOW CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 201410333475.2, filed on July 14, 2014, and entitled “SWITCHABLE GLASS STRUCTURE AND VEHICLE WINDOW” , and the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to glass, and more particularly, to a switchable glass structure and a vehicle window.

BACKGROUND

A switchable glass is a glass whose light transmission properties are altered when voltage, light or heat is applied. A switchable glass generally includes an interlayer therein. In existing techniques, a switchable glass is generally formed by disposing a Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) layer between two glass to form a whole structure, and performing a gluing process to the whole structure under a high temperature and a high pressure. Control electrodes are formed on surfaces of the two glass which surfaces face towards the PDLC layer. By applying voltage to the control electrodes, an electric field is formed in the PDLC layer. The magnitude change of the electric field can control the PDLC layer to switch between a transparent state and an opaque state, such that the switchable glass can whether block light or let light pass through.

Due to the above features, switchable glass are widely used in a building material field currently, such as in an office, a hotel or other architectures in which privacy is required.

Chinese patent publication No. CN201110922U discloses a PDLC light valve. The PDLC light valve includes: a first substrate, a second substrate, and liquid crystal and polymers packaged between the first and the second substrates using a package material. A surface of the first substrate and a surface of the second substrate, which surfaces are opposite to each other, are coated with a conductive film of indium tin oxide, respectively. The PDLC light valve further includes a third substrate, where the second substrate is disposed between the first and the third substrates. A surface of the second substrate and a surface of the third substrate, which surfaces are opposite to each other, are coated with a conductive film of indium tin oxide, respectively. Liquid crystal and polymers are packaged between the second and the third substrates using a package material. The above PDLC light valve can be taken as a switchable glass. By combining two layers of such light valves, the minimum transmissivity of the whole light valve structure in a scattering state can be reduced, and a contrast of the light valve may be improved. Besides, each layer of the light valve still has its original thickness which is relatively small, thus, a drive voltage of the PDLC light valve remains unchanged.

However, existing switchable glass have bad capability of heat insulation. When applied in building materials or vehicle windows, they cannot meet requirements of heat preservation.

SUMMARY

A switchable glass structure and a vehicle window are required, to improve capability of heat insulation to meet requirements of heat preservation.

In one aspect, a switchable glass structure is provided. The switchable glass structure includes: a first glass； a second glass disposed opposite to the first glass, each of the first and the second glass comprising at least two surfaces； a PDLC assembly between the first glass and the second glass； and an anti-radiation coating located on at least one surface of the first and the second glass, the at least one surface being adjacent to the PDLC assembly.

A basic idea is forming the anti-radiation coating on at least one surface of the first and the second glass, the at least one surface being adjacent to the PDLC assembly. As the anti-radiation coating has good capability of reflecting infrared lights, most infrared lights with high energy may be reflected by the anti-radiation coating and thus cannot pass through the switchable glass structure, such that the switchable glass structure may have improved capability of heat insulation.

In some embodiments, the first glass is a hollow glass, and the second glass is a single-layer glass. The first glass includes: a first surface facing away from the PDLC assembly； a second surface facing the other way from the first surface； a third surface disposed opposite to the second surface, wherein there is a gas interlayer between the second and the third surfaces； and a fourth surface facing the other way from the third surface, wherein the anti-radiation coating covers the fourth surface of the first glass, and a surface of the second glass which faces towards the PDLC assembly. The gas interlayer may further improve the switchable glass structure’s capability of heat and sound insulation.

In some embodiments, the PDLC assembly includes a PDLC layer, and the anti-radiation coating covers a surface of the first and the second glass which faces towards the PDLC layer and serves as an electrode for driving the PDLC layer. Therefore, there is no need to set extra transparent conductive membranes on two sides of the PDLC layer to drive the PDLC layer, which may reduce a thickness of the switchable glass structure and save costs.

In some embodiments, the PDLC assembly appears to be white, colorful or black when no voltage is applied, such that the switchable glass structure can appear various colors to meet different application scenarios.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a stereogram of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure；

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a sectional view of FIG. 1 along an AA’ line；

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a sectional view of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure；

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a sectional view of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure；

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a stereogram of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure；

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a sectional view of FIG. 5 along a BB’ line；

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a sectional view of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure； and

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a sectional view of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above objects, characteristics and advantages of the disclosure may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with accompanying figures.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, switchable glass structures are provided. FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a stereogram of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 1, the switchable glass structure includes: a first glass 102； a second glass 103 disposed opposite to the first glass 102, each of the first and the second glass including at least two surfaces； a PDLC assembly 101 between the first glass 102 and the second glass 103； and an anti-radiation coating located on at least one surface of the first glass 102 and the second glass 103, the at least one surface being adjacent to the PDLC assembly 101. In embodiments of the present disclosure, the at least one surface adjacent to the PDLC assembly may include one or more surface of the first and the second glass, but not include surfaces of the first and the second glass which face the exterior of the glass structure.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a sectional view of the switchable glass structure along an AA’ line.

In some embodiments, both the first glass 102 and the second glass 103 are single-layer glass. The first glass 102 or the second glass 103 may be formed by various technologies, such as a float glass, a sheet glass or a tempered glass. The first glass 102 or the second glass 103 may be a flat glass or a curved glass having a certain curvature. The first glass 102 and the second glass 103 have a certain transparency.

The PDLC assembly 101 includes a PDLC layer 106. In some embodiments, the PDLC layer 106 may include a polymer layer and liquid crystal microspheres dispersed in the polymer layer. The polymer layer includes a macromolecule material. In some embodiments, the polymer layer may include a material which has a first curvature matching a second curvature of an ordinary light of the liquid crystal microspheres (i.e., a curvature of the liquid crystal microspheres along their macroaxis) . That is to say, the first curvature is equal to the second curvature, or a ratio of the first curvature to the second curvature is within a range from 0.9 to 1.1. When no electric field is applied to the PDLC layer 106, the liquid crystal microspheres may be randomly dispersed in the polymer layer. When an electric field is applied to the PDLC layer 106, the liquid crystal microspheres may be orderly dispersed in the polymer layer with their macroaxis arranged along the electric field direction.

The PDLC assembly 101 further includes a first transparent conductive membrane 107 and a second transparent conductive membrane 108. The first transparent conductive membrane 107 is disposed between the PDLC layer 106 and the first glass 102, and the second transparent conductive membrane 108 is disposed between the PDLC layer 106 and the second glass 103. The first transparent conductive membrane 107 and the second transparent conductive membrane 108 may serve as drive electrodes of the PDLC layer 106.

In some embodiments, the first transparent conductive membrane 107 includes a first substrate 107A and a first transparent conductive layer 107B covering a surface of the first substrate 107A, where the first transparent conductive layer 107B faces towards the PDLC layer 106. The second transparent conductive membrane 108 includes a second substrate 108A and a second transparent conductive layer 108B covering a surface of the second substrate 108A, where the second transparent conductive layer 108B faces towards the PDLC layer 106.

In some embodiments, the first substrate 107A or the second substrate 108A may be a glass substrate, a transparent plastic substrate or a flexible polyester film. In some embodiments, the first transparent conductive layer 107B and the second transparent conductive layer 108B may be indium tin oxide layers formed on the first substrate 107A and the second substrate 108A, respectively. It should be noted that, although the material of the first transparent conductive layer 107B and the second transparent conductive layer 108B is described in the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the first transparent conductive layer 107B and the second transparent conductive layer 108B may include other transparent conductive materials. Wires for electrically connecting the first and the second transparent conductive layers with an external power source are disposed on the first and the second transparent conductive layers, to apply voltage to the first and the second transparent conductive layers.

When no voltage is applied to the first transparent conductive membrane 107 and the second transparent conductive membrane 108, the liquid crystal microspheres may be randomly dispersed in the polymer layer. Accordingly, a curvature of the polymer layer is different from a curvature of the liquid crystal microspheres, lights entering into the PDLC layer 106 scatters in the liquid crystal microspheres, which makes the lights be emitted from the PDLC layer 106 in various directions. Thus, the PDLC layer 106 is in a scattering state. When different voltages are applied to the first transparent conductive membrane 107 and the second transparent conductive membrane 108 respectively, an electric field of the first transparent conductive membrane 107 and the second transparent conductive membrane 108 is formed in the PDLC layer 106, and the liquid crystal microspheres may be orderly dispersed in the polymer layer with their macroaxis parallel with the electric field direction. Accordingly, the curvature of the polymer layer is equal to the curvature of the liquid crystal microspheres, and thus the PDLC layer 106 looks transparent. In this way, the PDLC layer 106 can switch between the transparent state and the scattering state, which makes the switchable glass structure have a dimming function.

In some embodiments, the PDLC assembly 101 appears to be white, colorful or black when no voltage is applied. For example, a dichroic dye may be incorporated in the PDLC layer which appears to be colorful or black when no voltage is applied. Based on kinds of the dichroic dye incorporated, the PDLC layer 106 can appear various colors, such as green or red, when no voltage is applied. When voltages are applied to the first transparent conductive membrane 107 and the second transparent conductive membrane 108, a saturability of the color of the PDLC layer 106 decreases. Along with the increment of an electric potential difference between the first transparent conductive membrane 107 and the second transparent conductive membrane 108, the PDLC layer 106 becomes colorless gradually.

In some embodiments, the PDLC layer 106 may be formed by a ultra-violet curing process or other curing processes. After the curing process, the PDLC layer 106 becomes sticky, and thus can fixedly connect the first transparent conductive membrane 107 with the second transparent conductive membrane 108, which makes the switchable glass structure stable.

Referring to FIG. 2, an anti-radiation coating 10 covers a surface of the first and the second glass which faces towards the PDLC layer. That is to say, in some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 may cover the surface of the first glass 102 which faces towards the PDLC layer, or cover the surface of the second glass 103 which faces towards the PDLC layer. In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 may cover the surfaces of the first glass 102 and the second glass 103 which face towards the PDLC layer.

In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 may be a low-e coating which is generally used in a low-e glass. The anti-radiation coating 10 may be a multi-layer coating including a silver layer. The anti-radiation coating 10 can reflect infrared lights, such that most infrared lights with high energy may be reflected by the anti-radiation coating 10 and cannot pass through the switchable glass structure. Therefore, the switchable glass structure may have improved capability of heat insulation. The switchable glass structure can be applied on a glass used in a building material field or a vehicle filed. When a temperature outside is relatively low, a room or a vehicle using the switchable glass structure can be kept relatively warm. When a temperature outside is relatively high, a room or a vehicle using the switchable glass structure can be kept relatively cool, In this way, the switchable glass structure not only has a dimming function, but also has a heat preservation function.

In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 may include one silver layer, two silver layers or three silver layers.

In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 including one silver layer may include a composite layer of Si₃N₄ and Al, a layer of NiCr, a layer of Ag, a layer of NiCr, and a composite layer of Si₃N₄ and Al in turn. Although the structure of one silver layer is described in the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 including two silver layers may include a composite layer of Si₃N₄ and Al, a layer of ZnO, a layer of NiCr, a layer of Ag (1) , a layer of NiCr, a layer of ZnO, a composite layer of Si₃N₄ and Al, a layer of ZnO, a layer of NiCr, a layer of Ag (2) , a layer of NiCr, a layer of ZnO, and a composite layer of Si₃N₄ and Al in turn. The layer of Ag (1) represents the first silver layer and the layer of Ag (2) represents the second silver layer. Compared with the anti-radiation coating 10 including one silver layer, the anti-radiation coating 10 including two silver layers may have better capability of reflecting infrared lights, and thus the switchable glass structure using the anti-radiation coating 10 including two silver layers may have better capability of heat insulation. However, manufacturing cost of the anti-radiation coating 10 including two silver layers may be high, and forming processes thereof may be relatively complicated.

In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 including three silver layers may include a composite layer of Si₃N₄ and Al, a layer of ZnO, a layer of NiCr, a layer of Ag (1) , a layer of NiCr, a layer of ZnO, a composite layer of Si₃N₄ and Al, a layer of ZnO, a layer of NiCr, a layer of Ag (2) , a layer of NiCr, a layer of ZnO, a composite layer of Si₃N₄ and Al, a layer of ZnO, a layer of NiCr, a layer of Ag (3) , a layer of NiCr, a layer of ZnO, and a composite layer of Si₃N₄ and Al in turn. The layer of Ag (1) represents the first silver layer, the layer of Ag (2) represents the second silver layer, and the layer of Ag (3) represents the third silver layer. Compared with the anti-radiation coating 10 including two silver layers, the anti-radiation coating 10 including three silver layers may have better capability of reflecting infrared lights, and thus the switchable glass structure using the anti-radiation coating 10 including three silver layers may have better capability of heat insulation.

According to practical manufacturing processes and detailed structures, the anti-radiation coating 10 may have an infrared light reflectivity within a range from 1％to 15％. In some embodiments, the infrared light reflectivity is positively proportional to the number of silver layers. Although detailed structures of the anti-radiation coating 10 are described in the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 may include four or more silver layers.

In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 may be located on at least one of the first glass 102 and the second glass 103 by a magnetron sputtering process. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 may be formed by other processes, such as an evaporation process.

Referring to FIG. 2, between the first glass 102 and the first transparent conductive membrane 107 is provided a first Ultraviolet (UV) protective film 104, and between the second glass 103 and the second transparent conductive membrane 108 is provided a second UV protective film 105.

In some embodiments, the first UV protective film 104 and the second UV protective film 105 may include Polyvinyl Butyral (PVB, a macromolecule material molded by plasticizing and squeezing PVB using a plasticizer DHA) or Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) . The first UV protective film 104 and the second UV protective film 105 may be adapted for preventing external UV rays from passing through the switchable glass structure. When the switchable glass structure is applied on a window used in a building material field or a vehicle field, intensity of UV rays entering into a room or a vehicle may be reduced. Besides, as the dimming performance of the PDLC assembly 101 is easily affected by UV rays, the first UV protective film 104 and the second UV protective film 105 can protect the PDLC assembly 101. As PVB or EVA is a sticky material, the first UV protective film 104 including PVB or EVA can fixedly connect the first glass 102 with the first transparent conductive membrane 107, and the second UV protective film 105 including PVB or EVA can fixedly connect the second glass 103 with the second transparent conductive membrane 108.

In sectional views in the accompanying figures, gaps are illustrated between layers of a switchable glass structure, to better present each layer of the switchable glass structure. It should be noted that, in practice, adjacent layers of a switchable glass structure are attached to each other.

FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a sectional view of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a PDLC assembly 101 is the same as the PDLC assembly in the above embodiment shown in FIGs. 1 and 2. A stereogram of the switchable glass structure in this embodiment may be the same as FIG. 1.

Common grounds between this embodiment and the above embodiment are not described in detail here, and the difference between this embodiment and the above embodiment is described below.

In some embodiments, the first glass 102 may be a hollow glass, and the second glass 103 may be a single-layer glass. The first glass 102 may include a first glass substrate 11, a second glass substrate 12 and a sealed gas interlayer 102E between the first glass substrate 11 and the second glass substrate 12.

The first glass substrate 11 and the second glass substrate 12 include four surfaces totally. The first glass substrate 11 includes a first surface 102A facing away from the PDLC assembly 101, and a second surface 102B facing the other way from the first surface 102A. The second glass substrate 12 includes: a third surface 102C disposed opposite to the second surface 102B, wherein the gas interlayer 102E is located between the second and the third surfaces； and a fourth surface 102D facing the other way from the third surface 102C.

It should be noted that, in embodiments of the present disclosure, a surface of a glass substrate facing away from the PDLC assembly means the surface is, compared with other surface (s) of the glass substrate, farther to the PDLC assembly. Besides, in one glass substrate, a surface being facing the other way from another surface means the two surfaces are disposed on two opposite sides of the glass substrate.

In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 may cover the second surface 102B of the first glass 102. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 may cover at least one of the following surfaces: the second, the third and the fourth surfaces of the first glass 102, and a surface of the second glass 103 which faces towards the PDLC assembly 101.

When the anti-radiation coating 10 covers a plurality of surfaces, the switchable glass structure may have better capability of heat insulation.

In some embodiments, the gas interlayer 102E included in the first glass 102 can make the first glass 102 have better capability of heat and sound insulation, and accordingly the switchable glass structure has better capability of heat and sound insulation.

In some embodiments, the gas interlayer 102E may be an air interlayer or an inert gas interlayer. Particularly, the switchable glass structure may have relatively good capability of heat and sound insulation when the gas interlayer 102E is an inert gas interlayer.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a sectional view of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a PDLC assembly 101 is the same as the PDLC assembly in the above embodiment shown in FIG. 3. A stereogram of the switchable glass structure in this embodiment may be the same as FIG. 1.

Common grounds between this embodiment and the above embodiment shown in FIG. 3 are not described in detail here, and the difference between this embodiment and the above embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is described below.

In some embodiments, both the first glass 102 and the second glass 103 are hollow glass. The second glass 103 may include a third glass substrate 13, a fourth glass substrate 14 and a sealed gas interlayer 103E between the third glass substrate 13 and the fourth glass substrate 14.

The third glass substrate 13 and the fourth glass substrate 14 include four surfaces totally. The third glass substrate 13 includes a first surface 103A facing away from the PDLC assembly 101, and a second surface 103B facing the other way from the first surface 103A. The fourth glass substrate 14 includes: a third surface 103C disposed opposite to the second surface 103B, wherein the gas interlayer 103E is located between the second and the third surfaces； and a fourth surface 103D facing the other way from the third surface 103C.

In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 may cover the second surface 102B of the first glass 102. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 10 may cover at least one of the following surfaces: the second, the third and the fourth surfaces of the first glass 102, and the second, the third and the fourth surfaces of the second glass 103.

In some embodiments, the gas interlayer 103E included in the second glass 103 can make the second glass 103 have better capability of heat and sound insulation, and accordingly the switchable glass structure has better capability of heat and sound insulation.

Referring to FIGs. 2 to 4, in some embodiments, the first transparent conductive membrane 107 may not include the first substrate 107A, and the second transparent conductive membrane 108 may not include second substrate 108A. The first transparent conductive membrane 107 only includes the first transparent conductive layer 107B, and the second transparent conductive membrane 108 only includes the second transparent conductive layer 108B. The first transparent conductive layer 107B and the second transparent conductive layer 108B are located on the surfaces of the first glass 102 and the second glass 103 which face towards the PDLC layer 106, and serve as drive electrodes of the PDLC layer 106. In some embodiments, the first transparent conductive layer 107B and the second transparent conductive layer 108B may include indium tin oxide. The surfaces of the first glass 102 and the second glass 103 which face away from the PDLC layer 106 are provided with a UV protective coating (not shown) . No PVB or EVA is disposed between the first glass 102 and the PDLC layer 106, or between the second glass 103 and the PDLC layer 106, to avoid influence to the PDLC layer 106 caused by sticky PVB or EVA.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a stereogram of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. A structure of a PDLC assembly in the switchable glass structure in this embodiment is different from those in the above embodiments.

FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a sectional view of the switchable glass structure in FIG. 5 along a BB’ line. Common grounds between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 are not described in detail here, and the difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIGs. 1 and 2 is described below.

In some embodiments, a PDLC assembly 201 only includes the PDLC layer 106. To enable the PDLC layer 106 to switch between a transparent state and a scattering state, an anti-radiation coating 20 covers surfaces of a first glass 202 and a second glass 203 which face towards and contact the PDLC layer 106. The anti-radiation coating 20 may serve as drive electrodes of the PDLC layer 106.

As described above, in some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 20 may include one silver layer, two silver layers or three silver layers. The anti-radiation coating 20 mainly includes a metal and a metallic oxide, thus, having good conductivity. Besides, the anti-radiation coating 20 lets most visible pass through, thus it may serve as a conductive electrode. In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 20 formed by a magnetron sputtering process may be relatively even, and thus an even electric field may be formed in the PDLC layer 106, which makes each portion of the PDLC layer 106 have almost the same transparency in the transparent state.

In some embodiments, the PDLC assembly 201 only includes the PDLC layer 106, and surfaces of the first glass 202 and the second glass 203 which face away from the PDLC layer 106 are provided with a UV protective coating (not shown) . No PVB or EVA is disposed between the first glass 202 and the PDLC layer 106, or between the second glass 203 and the PDLC layer 106, to avoid influence to the PDLC layer 106 caused by sticky PVB or EVA. In some embodiments, the PDLC layer 106 may be formed by a ultra-violet curing process or other curing processes. After the curing process, the PDLC layer 106 becomes sticky, and thus can fixedly connect the first glass 202 with the second glass 203, which makes the switchable glass structure stable.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a sectional view of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a PDLC assembly 201 is the same as the PDLC assembly in the embodiment shown in FIGs. 5 and 6. A stereogram of the switchable glass structure in this embodiment may be the same as FIG. 5.

Common grounds between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIGs. 5 and 6 are not described in detail here, and the difference between this embodiment and the embodiment shown in FIGs. 5 and 6 is described below.

In some embodiments, the first glass 202 may be a hollow glass, and the second glass 203 may be a single-layer glass. The first glass 202 may include a first glass substrate 21, a second glass substrate 22 and a sealed gas interlayer 202E between the first glass substrate 21 and the second glass substrate 22.

The first glass substrate 21 and the second glass substrate 22 include four surfaces totally. The first glass substrate 21 includes a first surface 202A facing away from the PDLC assembly 201, and a second surface 202B facing the other way from the first surface 202A. The second glass substrate 22 includes: a third surface 202C disposed opposite to the second surface 202B, wherein the gas interlayer 202E is located between the second and the third surfaces； and a fourth surface 202D facing the other way from the third surface 202C.

In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 20 may cover the fourth surface 202D of the first glass 202, and a surface of the second glass 203 which faces towards the PDLC assembly 201, to serve as electrodes for driving the PDLC layer 106. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, besides the fourth surface 202D of the first glass 202, and the surface of the second glass 203 which faces towards the PDLC assembly 201, the anti-radiation coating 20 may further cover at least one of the second and the third surfaces of the first glass 202.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a sectional view of a switchable glass structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In this embodiment, a PDLC assembly 201 is the same as the PDLC assembly in the embodiment shown in FIGs. 5 and 6. A stereogram of the switchable glass structure in this embodiment may be the same as FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, both the first glass 202 and the second glass 203 are hollow glass. The second glass 203 may include a third glass substrate 23, a fourth glass substrate 24 and a sealed gas interlayer 203E between the third glass substrate 23 and the fourth glass substrate 24.

The third glass substrate 23 and the fourth glass substrate 24 include four surfaces totally. The third glass substrate 23 includes a first surface 203A facing away from the PDLC assembly 201, and a second surface 203B facing the other way from the first surface 203A. The four glass substrate 24 includes: a third surface 203C disposed opposite to the second surface 203B, wherein the gas interlayer 203E is located between the second and the third surfaces； and a fourth surface 203D facing the other way from the third surface 203C.

In some embodiments, the anti-radiation coating 20 may cover the fourth surface 202D of the first glass 202 and the fourth surface 203D of the second glass 203, to serve as electrodes for driving the PDLC layer 106. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, besides the fourth surface 202D of the first glass 202 and the fourth surface 203D of the second glass 203, the anti-radiation coating 20 may further cover at least one of the second and the third surfaces of the first glass 202, and the second and the third surfaces of the second glass 203.

It should be noted that, in the above embodiments, a frame (not shown) is disposed around the first glass and the second glass, to fix the first glass and the second glass.

In an embodiment, a vehicle window is provided, including the switchable glass structure according to any one of the above embodiments. The vehicle window may not only have a dimming function, but also have good capability of heat insulation, which can meet requirements of heat preservation.

Although the present disclosure has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it should be understood that the disclosure is presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Those skilled in the art can modify and vary the embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the protection scope of the present disclosure is subject to the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

A switchable glass structure, comprising:

a first glass；

a second glass disposed opposite to the first glass, each of the first and the second glass comprising at least two surfaces；

a polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly between the first glass and the second glass； and

an anti-radiation coating located on at least one surface of the first and the second glass, the at least one surface being adjacent to the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 1, wherein the anti-radiation coating comprises one silver layer, two silver layers or three silver layers.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 1, wherein the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly comprises:

a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer；

a first transparent conductive membrane disposed between the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer and the first glass； and

a second transparent conductive membrane disposed between the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer and the second glass, wherein the first and the second transparent conductive membranes serve as electrodes for driving the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 3, wherein each of the first and the second transparent conductive membranes comprises a substrate and a transparent conductive layer covering a surface of the substrate, the transparent conductive layer facing towards the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 3, wherein between the first glass and the first transparent conductive membrane, and between the second glass and the second transparent conductive membrane, is respectively provided an ultraviolet protective film.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 5, wherein the ultraviolet protective film comprises polyvinyl butyral or ethylene-vinyl acetate.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 3, wherein the first transparent conductive membrane is a first transparent conductive layer covering the first glass, and the second transparent conductive membrane is a second transparent conductive layer covering the second glass.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 3, wherein both the first glass and the second glass are single-layer glass, and the at least one surface where the anti-radiation coating is located faces towards the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 3, wherein the first glass is a hollow glass, the second glass is a single-layer glass, and the first glass comprises:

a first surface facing away from the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly；

a second surface facing the other way from the first surface；

a third surface disposed opposite to the second surface, wherein there is a gas interlayer between the second and the third surfaces； and

a fourth surface facing the other way from the third surface,

wherein the anti-radiation coating covers at least one of the following surfaces: the second, the third and the fourth surfaces of the first glass, and a surface of the second glass which faces towards the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 3, wherein both the first glass and the second glass are hollow glass and each comprises:

a first surface facing away from the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly；

a second surface facing the other way from the first surface；

a third surface disposed opposite to the second surface, wherein there is a gas interlayer between the second and the third surfaces； and

a fourth surface facing the other way from the third surface,

wherein the anti-radiation coating covers at least one of the following surfaces: the second, the third and the fourth surfaces of the first glass, and the second, the third and the fourth surfaces of the second glass.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 1, wherein the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly comprises a polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer, and the anti-radiation coating covers a surface of the first and the second glass which faces towards the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer and serves as an electrode for driving the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 7 or 11, wherein surfaces of the first and the second glass facing away from the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer are respectively provided with an ultraviolet protective coating.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 11, wherein both the first glass and the second glass are single-layer glass, and the anti-radiation coating covers a surface of the first and the second glass which faces towards and contacts the polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 11, wherein the first glass is a hollow glass, the second glass is a single-layer glass, and the first glass comprises:

a first surface facing away from the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly；

a second surface facing the other way from the first surface；

a third surface disposed opposite to the second surface, wherein there is a gas interlayer between the second and the third surfaces； and

a fourth surface facing the other way from the third surface,

wherein the anti-radiation coating covers the fourth surface of the first glass, and a surface of the second glass which faces towards the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 14, wherein the anti-radiation coating further covers at least one of the second and the third surfaces of the first glass.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 11, wherein both the first glass and the second glass are hollow glass, and each comprises:

a first surface facing away from the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly；

a second surface facing the other way from the first surface；

a third surface disposed opposite to the second surface, wherein there is a gas interlayer between the second and the third surfaces； and

a fourth surface facing the other way from the third surface,

wherein the anti-radiation coating covers the fourth surface of the first glass and the fourth surface of the second glass.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 16, wherein the anti-radiation coating further covers at least one of the second and the third surfaces of the first glass, and the second and the third surfaces of the second glass.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 4 or 7, wherein the transparent conductive layer comprises indium tin oxide.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 1, wherein a frame is disposed around the first glass and the second glass to fix the first and the second glass.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 1, wherein the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly appears to be white, colorful or black when no voltage is applied.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 20, wherein a dichroic dye is incorporated in the polymer dispersed liquid crystal assembly which appears to be colorful or black when no voltage is applied.
The switchable glass structure according to claim 9, 10, 14 or 16, wherein the gas interlayer is an air interlayer or an inert gas interlayer.
A vehicle window, comprising the switchable glass structure according to any one of claims 1 to 22.