DE202006003457U1 - Glazing pane with variable transmission has two sheets with pattern of opaque and clear areas and with relative adjustment to change the light transmission - Google Patents

Abstract

A glazing pane, or light filter, with variable transmission has two panes with applied regular pattern of opaque and clear areas. The two panes are supported in frames with their patterns facing each other. By sliding or rotating the panes relative to each other a variable transmission is obtained. The opaque areas can have less than full blackout if required. The patterns are applied by conventional means, e.g. photolithography.

Description

The Invention relates to a glazing which is reversible (recoverable) opaque (opaque) can be adjusted to the strength of them going through To influence light radiation.

since For several years glazings are described and partly also offered on the market, which make it possible their translucency reversible change. The glazings described may be relative to yours To work with the following four groups:

• 1.) electrochromic window glass (and the like), controllable light transmissive films function by sandwiching liquid crystals or polymer layer (s) between two transparent sheets or foils. The effect of electrical current on the liquid crystals or polymer layer (s) changes these glazing's optical properties.
  
• The function of electric current depends the disadvantage that for the active Condition of the disc a permanent electrical voltage on the glazing must be present. In the event of an unintentional power failure, the glazing will automatically "switch on" Hibernation.
• 2.) Polarizing filters based on polarizing filters operate by arranging two pieces of such filters concentric and rotatable with respect to each other. The relative rotational position of the two filters to each other determines the degree of translucence.
  
• This glazing arrangement can, because of the necessary rotary Relative movement of both polarizing filters to each other, advantageous only with round windows / light openings be used.
• 3.) Photochromic / thermotropic disks are glasses which are provided with organic or inorganic coatings, or there is a photo- or thermotropic gel between two parallel disks, with the effect that depending on the influence of light or heat, the light transmission or The color is changed reversibly.
  
• With these glazings, the degree of darkening can not be set arbitrarily become. They are only passive, depending on environmental conditions in their translucency variable. In times of low light or heat radiation (for example at night) these glazings remain completely translucent and can thus not all (e.g. Curtains usual) Fulfill tasks.
• 4.) opaque (opaque by pigment admixture) liquid is used in such a way that the liquid between two slices rises or falls by the distance between the discs is changed.
  
• This principle does not work with horizontal (vertical Earth gravity / centrifugal aligned) installation position. In addition are long-term stable, elastic sealing of the mutually movable Slices required to prevent fluid loss.

task the present invention is to provide a glazing, which is characterized by the fact that they belong to the positions 1.) to 4.) mentioned disadvantages are not present.

For this is applied a, the invention underlying operation, which are different from the currently known, - among the positions 1.) to 4.) - modes of operation in principle different.

On one or more surface sides of two or more translucent, plane-parallel panes or foils (eg float-window glass, acrylic or polycarbonate plates, insulating glass, laminated glass, or combinations of such, etc.) is applied a regular pattern with alternating opaque / transparent fields (eg, linear, such as "checkerboard", or "pavement Maurits Comelis Escher" or circular, eg, similar to a "darts disc" or other regular pattern) , The application may be by screen printing, or laser printing, or other print or lithographic processes, similar to the production of printed circuit board layouts by first vapor-deposited metal and - after coating with photosensitive resist - the pattern is exposed and then developed in the etching bath.

The Slices are thus mounted in a frame that the patterned surfaces facing each other, and - along Your pattern direction - ever be moved against each other or twisted pattern by Musterungsart can.

The Relative movement of the discs to each other - depending on the application of the Glazing - through a wide variety of already known, drive elements are generated.

Conceivable is a manual over lever with eccentric elements or wedge-shaped Sliders. To automate the glazing could also electrical Drives in conjunction with well-known building services (bus-capable controllers) or mechanical thermostatic element, as a passive temperature-dependent control as well as miniature hydraulics / pneumatics, piezoelectric actuators, et al be used more.

As a result of the relative movement of the disks relative to each other, fields - as extreme positions - are each once opaque - opaque / transparent - transparent (see drawings 1 ) in overlapping, which leads to the transparent effect of the glazing, or in the other extreme fields opaque - transparent / transparent - opaque (see drawings 2 ) in coverage which leads to the opaque effect of the glazing. between these two extremes, all intermediate stages are freely adjustable.

For the 100% opaque (opaque) Condition of the device is the edge length / area of the individual fields insignificant.

For the transparent Condition (translucent) the glazing receives one depending on the edge length / area the fields have different effects.

With area sizes of the individual fields smaller than 0.5 mm ^2, the pane is completely transparent, with increasing size of the fields the structure of the applied patterns becomes visible.

This Effect can, depending on the application as a creative element eg. targeted use of interior design.

This in the invention claim 1.) described basic principle of the relative displacement or twist of superimposed, similar patterns or masks, can be in different variations be applied.

A first variation possibility then, the opaque fields exist in your translucency not darken 100%, but apply only partially transparent-transparent fields. e.g. through change the evaporated metal layer - thickness. This will make the glazing when opaque - opaque / transparent - transparent not 100% opaque.

A second variation possibility is to make the opaque fields as "frosted glass", made e.g. by Use of different shades and light transmittances the printing inks, or by on the transparent raw disc over known lithographic methods later transparent fields with a later washable, against sandblasting or etching process resistant coating are covered. The uncovered Fields are brought into a "frosted glass" structure by sandblasting or etching. The glazing is thereby - at constant light transmission - stepless from transparent to "frosted glass" switchable.

A third variation possibility is to use the "opaque" fields with a to provide polarizing coating when overlapping the fields "opaque - transparent / transparent - opaque" is 100% translucent, and when setting opaque - opaque / transparent - transparent 50% light reduced. The polarization directions of each other shifted or twisted fields must this at an angle of 90 ° to each other be arranged.

Further variations arise, by combining two or more discs after above variants are patterned and / or coated, however be combined in the way that also uneven coating types be paired with each other.

The uses Such glazing is very diverse.

imaginable is for example the use as a shop window, in which optionally between transparent glass (for viewing the display), and frosted glass pane (as or projection screen for video or slideshows) can be switched.

As well in exhibition showcases, (re) presentation setups, on exhibition stands, in a planetarium, for Showmen's attractions, and other advertising, etc. opened up New opportunities.

It is among others for Glazing in advertising effective environment conceivable, the pattern of Surfaces - for production from superimposed Motifs (e.g., company logos or logotypes) - at certain, superimposed ones To expose motifs to appropriate places (transparent), or (opaque) to overlay.

In the interior design can opaque - transparent switchable partitions / room dividers for variable design e.g. of offices, bank counters, meeting rooms, Training rooms, Cinemas, shops, Changing rooms in the department store or swimming pool area, used become.

The Design of house facades, exterior walls in "glass-only houses" or the air conditioning of greenhouses, etc. is also possible.

Also classic building elements such as entrance doors, Room doors, inside and outside windows etc. can with such glazing equipped become.

Claims (3)

Glazing with adjustable light transmission, characterized in that a.) The glazing consists of two or more translucent, slices or films, on each of which on one or more surfaces, a regular pattern (mask) is applied with alternating opaque / transparent fields. b.) the patterns are Cartesian (eg chessboard, drawings 1 ) or polar (eg, in principle, a dartboard), spread on the surfaces regularly or continue so that the entire surface is patterned. c.) the discs or foils are mounted in a frame that the patterned surfaces face each other, d.) the discs or foils are mounted in a frame that displaces the patterned surfaces along their patterning direction, depending on the patterning or can be twisted. Glazing according to claim 1), characterized that e.) the opaque fields in your translucency are not 100% darkened, but as partially transparent-transparent Fields executed are. f.) the opaque fields in their translucency not 100% darkened, but designed as fields in frosted glass look. G.) the opaque fields in your translucency are not 100% darkened, but are designed as polarizing filter. Glazing according to one of the preceding claims characterized characterized in that H.) the patterning of the surfaces - for the production from superimposed Motifs - on certain, the superimposed Subjects to appropriate locations (transparent) exposes or (opaque) superimposed becomes. i.) two or more discs of the same pattern and / or Coating can be used. j.) also combinations of two or multiple slices of uneven patterning and / or coating be used.