CN107924095A - The controllable electro-optical device of frequency - Google Patents

一种频率可控的电光装置，包括基板，基板具有在其上图案化的透明导电控制部分，以选择性地控制电子光学层的光学状态。控制部分的每一者通过裂隙线而彼此部分电绝缘，这允许邻近/接近控制部分之间出现电连通。这样，直接地施加到一个控制部分的电控制信号在该控制部分中形成电场，并且还在不直接接收控制信号的邻近控制部分中感应出电场。因此，用于联结到驱动电路以操作装置所需的电连接的数目最小化，由此，使得以降低复杂性和成本来制造装置。

A frequency controllable electro-optic device includes a substrate having a transparent conductive control portion patterned thereon to selectively control the optical state of an electro-optical layer. Each of the control portions are partially electrically insulated from each other by a split line, which allows electrical communication between adjacent/proximate control portions. Thus, an electrical control signal applied directly to one control portion creates an electric field in that control portion and also induces an electric field in an adjacent control portion that does not directly receive the control signal. Thus, the number of electrical connections required for coupling to the drive circuitry to operate the device is minimized, thereby enabling the device to be manufactured with reduced complexity and cost.

频率可控的电光装置Frequency-controllable electro-optic devices

相关申请的交叉引用Cross References to Related Applications

本专利申请要求于2016年6月13日递交的美国专利申请No.15/180,677的权益，其要求于2015年6月12日递交的美国临时申请No.62/174,891的权益，以上专利申请的每一者的全部内容通过引用并入本文中。This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application No. 15/180,677, filed June 13, 2016, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/174,891, filed June 12, 2015, which The entire contents of each are incorporated herein by reference.

技术领域technical field

通常，本发明的实施方式涉及一种电光装置。特别地，本发明的实施方式涉及一种频率控制的电光装置，其利用了多个导电带图案的透明控制部分，由此，每一控制部分与邻近控制部分通过裂隙线而电绝缘。更特别地，本发明的实施方式涉及一种电光装置，其具有在直接接收AC(交流)控制信号的直接控制部分，其能够基于控制信号的频率而控制相对于直接控制部分而临近布置的间接控制部分的数目，从而调节其中控制光学状态的电子响应层的尺寸。In general, embodiments of the invention relate to an electro-optic device. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to a frequency-controlled electro-optic device utilizing a plurality of transparent control portions in a pattern of conductive strips whereby each control portion is electrically isolated from adjacent control portions by a slot line. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to an electro-optical device having a direct control section that receives an AC (alternating current) control signal directly, capable of controlling an indirect control section disposed adjacent to the direct control section based on the frequency of the control signal. The number of moieties is controlled, thereby tuning the size of the electronically responsive layer in which the optical state is controlled.

背景技术Background technique

诸如包括LCD(液晶)显示器的平板装置和聚合物分散型液晶装置(PDLC)的平板装置利用透明的导电电极来控制平板装置的各种操作功能。例如，在制造典型的平板装置的过程中，透明导电电极通常由薄的、透明的导电薄膜材料(例如，铟锡氧化物(ITO))形成，其被真空沉积在透明的、硬质玻璃基板。接下来，使用常规的光刻技术将ITO薄膜图案化为光学透明的电极。这样的过程需要电极与显示器的驱动电路的精确和准确的结合，这可能是昂贵的。Panel devices such as panel devices including LCD (liquid crystal) displays and polymer dispersed liquid crystal devices (PDLC) utilize transparent conductive electrodes to control various operational functions of the panel device. For example, during the manufacture of typical flat panel devices, transparent conductive electrodes are usually formed from thin, transparent conductive film materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO), which are vacuum deposited on a transparent, rigid glass substrate . Next, the ITO film is patterned into optically transparent electrodes using conventional photolithography techniques. Such a process requires precise and accurate bonding of the electrodes to the display's drive circuitry, which can be costly.

然而，近来，平板装置行业已经试图用柔性基板(例如，由柔性塑料和聚合物形成的柔性基板)代替使用刚性玻璃基板，同时仍保留使用ITO或其他导电聚合物来形成透明电极。More recently, however, the flat panel industry has attempted to replace the use of rigid glass substrates with flexible substrates (eg, formed from flexible plastics and polymers), while still retaining the use of ITO or other conductive polymers to form transparent electrodes.

具体而言，当使用标准光刻技术使ITO图案化时，形成单独的ITO条带/条，使得相邻的、邻近的ITO条带/条之间无电连接或连通。换句话说，当使用标准光刻技术将ITO薄膜图案化成多个ITO条带/条时，每个ITO条带/条与相邻的、邻近的ITO条带电隔离。由于这种电隔离，或相邻的、邻近的ITO条带/条之间缺乏电连接，驱动信号(诸如电压信号)被施加到直接附接到导电ITO条带/条之一的电极上，只能影响或控制与电极直接连接的ITO条带/条。因此，由所施加的电压驱动的图像只能在被直接接收到驱动信号的ITO条带/条所覆盖的平板装置的那些区域中切换。换句话说，由施加到ITO条带/条的电压驱动的图像被限制在由直接驱动的ITO条带/条本身的尺寸限定的区域内。Specifically, when ITO is patterned using standard photolithographic techniques, individual ITO strips/strips are formed such that there is no electrical connection or communication between adjacent, adjacent ITO strips/strips. In other words, when the ITO film is patterned into multiple ITO strips/strips using standard photolithographic techniques, each ITO strip/strip is electrically isolated from adjacent, neighboring ITO strips. Due to this electrical isolation, or lack of electrical connection between adjacent, adjacent ITO strips/strips, a drive signal (such as a voltage signal) is applied to an electrode directly attached to one of the conductive ITO strips/strips, Only ITO strips/strips that are directly connected to the electrodes can be affected or controlled. Therefore, the image driven by the applied voltage can only be switched in those areas of the tablet device that are covered by the ITO strips/strips that directly receive the drive signal. In other words, the image driven by the voltage applied to the ITO strip/strip is confined within the area defined by the dimensions of the directly driven ITO strip/strip itself.

因此，需要一种具有多个导电透明部分(即条带/条)的电光装置，所述多个导电透明部分被图案化在基板(诸如柔性基板)上，从而通过裂隙彼此分离，由此每个控制部分(或其一部分)与相邻的、邻近的控制部分部分地电连通。另外，还需要具有在多个控制部分的旁边设置的电光响应层的电光学装置，使得电光响应层的区域的光学状态受到直接接收控制信号的控制部分(即，直接控制部分)，并且同时受到不直接接收控制信号的、与直接驱动的ITO部分相邻或邻近的一个或多个控制部分(即，间接控制部分)。此外，需要一种具有与多个控制部分相邻设置的电光响应层的电光装置，使得通过任何给定的直接控制部分激活以输送电场的间接控制部分的数目通过直接施加到对应的直接控制部分的控制信号的频率进行调整，结果，通过直接和间接控制部分来控制光学状态的电光响应层的面积的大小被调整。Therefore, there is a need for an electro-optical device having a plurality of conductive transparent portions (i.e., strips/strips) patterned on a substrate (such as a flexible substrate) so as to be separated from each other by crevices, whereby each Each control section (or a portion thereof) is in partial electrical communication with an adjacent, adjacent control section. In addition, there is also a need for an electro-optical device having an electro-optical responsive layer disposed alongside a plurality of control sections, such that the optical state of a region of the electro-optic responsive layer is subject to the control section that directly receives the control signal (i.e., the direct control section), and simultaneously One or more control sections adjacent to or adjacent to the directly driven ITO section that do not directly receive control signals (ie, indirect control sections). Furthermore, there is a need for an electro-optic device having an electro-optic responsive layer disposed adjacent to a plurality of control portions such that the number of indirect control portions activated by any given direct control portion to deliver an electric field is determined by direct application to the corresponding direct control portion The frequency of the control signal is adjusted, and as a result, the size of the area of the electro-optic response layer to control the optical state through the direct and indirect control part is adjusted.

发明内容Contents of the invention

在一个实施方式中，一种电光装置，包括：由导电的、至少部分透光的材料形成的多个控制部分，其中，所述多个控制部分中的每一者与另一控制部分通过一对邻近的裂隙线而电绝缘，其中，一个或多个所述多个控制部分包括适于直接接收控制信号的直接控制部分，以及其中，邻近于所述直接控制部分的一个或多个所述多个控制部分包括间接控制部分；以及电子光学响应层定位成邻近于所述多个控制部分；其中，当控制信号被所述一个或多个直接控制部分接收时，电场在所述一个或多个直接控制部分和所述一个或多个间接控制部分中产生，由此，控制了暴露到电场的所述电子光学响应层的区域的光学状态。In one embodiment, an electro-optical device comprising: a plurality of control portions formed from an electrically conductive, at least partially light-transmissive material, wherein each of the plurality of control portions communicates with another control portion through a electrically insulated from adjacent slot lines, wherein one or more of said plurality of control sections includes a direct control section adapted to receive control signals directly, and wherein one or more of said direct control sections adjacent to said direct control section The plurality of control sections includes an indirect control section; and the electro-optical response layer is positioned adjacent to the plurality of control sections; wherein when a control signal is received by the one or more direct control sections, an electric field is present in the one or more direct control sections. The direct control moieties and the one or more indirect control moieties thereby control the optical state of the regions of the electro-optic responsive layer exposed to the electric field.

在另一实施方式中，一种控制电光装置的方法，包括：提供电光装置，具有：由导电的、至少部分透光的材料形成的多个控制部分，其中，所述多个控制部分中的每一者与另一控制部分通过一对邻近的裂隙线而电绝缘，其中，一个或多个所述多个控制部分包括适于直接接收控制信号的直接控制部分，以及其中，邻近于所述直接控制部分的一个或多个所述多个控制部分包括间接控制部分，其中，电子光学响应层定位成邻近于所述多个控制部分；施加交流(AC)控制信号到每一所述直接控制部分；在所述直接控制部分和在所述间接控制部分中的至少一者中产生电场；以及控制暴露到所述电场的所述电子响应材料的区域的光学状态。In another embodiment, a method of controlling an electro-optic device includes providing an electro-optic device having a plurality of control portions formed from an electrically conductive, at least partially light transmissive material, wherein one of the plurality of control portions Each is electrically insulated from another control section by a pair of adjacent slot wires, wherein one or more of said plurality of control sections includes a direct control section adapted to receive control signals directly, and wherein adjacent to said one or more of the plurality of control sections of the direct control section includes an indirect control section, wherein an electro-optical response layer is positioned adjacent to the plurality of control sections; applying an alternating current (AC) control signal to each of the direct control sections generating an electric field in at least one of said directly controlling portion and said indirect controlling portion; and controlling an optical state of a region of said electronically responsive material exposed to said electric field.

在另一实施方式中，一种电光装置，包括：由导电的、至少部分透光的材料形成的多个控制部分，其中，所述多个控制部分中的每一者与另一控制部分通过一个或多个裂隙线而电绝缘，其中，一个或多个所述多个控制部分包括适于直接接收控制信号的直接控制部分，以及其中，邻近于所述直接控制部分的一个或多个所述多个控制部分包括间接控制部分；以及电子光学响应层定位成邻近于所述多个控制部分；其中，当控制信号被所述一个或多个直接控制部分接收时，电场在所述一个或多个直接控制部分和所述一个或多个间接控制部分中产生，由此，控制了暴露到电场的所述电子光学响应层的区域的光学状态。In another embodiment, an electro-optical device includes a plurality of control portions formed from an electrically conductive, at least partially light-transmissive material, wherein each of the plurality of control portions communicates with another control portion by One or more slot lines are electrically isolated, wherein one or more of the plurality of control sections includes a direct control section adapted to directly receive control signals, and wherein the one or more of the plurality of control sections adjacent to the direct control section The plurality of control portions includes an indirect control portion; and an electro-optical response layer is positioned adjacent to the plurality of control portions; wherein, when a control signal is received by the one or more direct control portions, an electric field in the one or more direct control portions A plurality of direct control moieties and the one or more indirect control moieties are generated, thereby controlling the optical state of regions of the electro-optical responsive layer exposed to an electric field.

本发明的另一方面提供一种基板上的图案化的导电材料，例如PET基板上的裂隙ITO条带/段，具有在另一基板上的导电材料，例如，PET基板上的连续ITO平面，具有设置在两个基板之间的显示材料，例如，聚合物分散的液晶，具有驱动系统，驱动系统提供了最小数目的电极(即，数目小于ITO条带的数目)，其将来自驱动系统的电极连接到图案化导电材料以及前面提到的另一导电材料，其中，不同频率的电压从驱动系统通过电极而被施加到图案化导电材料和另一导电材料，导致了图像的显示，其通过所施加的电压的频率而控制。Another aspect of the present invention provides a patterned conductive material on a substrate, e.g., cracked ITO strips/segments on a PET substrate, with conductive material on another substrate, e.g., continuous ITO planes on a PET substrate, Having a display material disposed between two substrates, for example, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, having a drive system that provides a minimum number of electrodes (i.e., a number less than the number of ITO strips) that will receive the The electrodes are connected to the patterned conductive material and the aforementioned another conductive material, wherein voltages of different frequencies are applied to the patterned conductive material and the other conductive material from the driving system through the electrodes, resulting in the display of an image, which is passed through controlled by the frequency of the applied voltage.

一个或多个实施方式的另一方面是，提供两个基板上的两个图案化的导电材料，例如，PET基板上的裂隙的ITO条带，具有设置在两个基板之间的显示材料或者触摸感测材料，例如，胆甾型液晶或绝缘体，具有驱动系统，其提供了最少数目的电极(即，数目小于ITO条带的数目)，其将来自驱动系统的电极连接到前面提到的图案化的导电材料，不同频率的电压从驱动系统被施加到图案化导电材料，导致了图像或者触摸感测，其通过所施加的电压的频率而控制。It is another aspect of one or more embodiments to provide two patterned conductive materials on two substrates, for example, slotted ITO strips on a PET substrate, with a display material disposed between the two substrates or Touch-sensing materials, such as cholesteric liquid crystals or insulators, have a drive system that provides a minimum number of electrodes (i.e., a number less than the number of ITO strips) that connects electrodes from the drive system to the aforementioned Patterned conductive material, voltages of different frequencies are applied to the patterned conductive material from the drive system, resulting in image or touch sensing, which is controlled by the frequency of the applied voltage.

附图说明Description of drawings

关于以下说明、所附权利要求书以及附图，本发明的这些和其他特征和优点将变得易于理解，其中：These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent with reference to the following description, appended claims, and drawings, in which:

图1为根据本发明的概念的具有设置成邻近于基板的透明导电控制部分的频率可控的电光装置的透视图；1 is a perspective view of a frequency controllable electro-optical device with a transparent conductive control portion disposed adjacent to a substrate according to the concept of the present invention;

图2为根据本发明的概念的频率可控的电光装置的透视图，其具有直接接合到驱动电路的多个直接控制部分和定位成邻近于直接控制部分的多个间接控制部分；2 is a perspective view of a frequency-controllable electro-optic device having multiple direct control sections directly coupled to a drive circuit and multiple indirect control sections positioned adjacent to the direct control sections in accordance with the concepts of the present invention;

图3为显示根据本发明的概念的体现为PDLC薄膜的频率可控的电光装置的响应，由此，利用附接在PET基板上的裂隙控制部分(即，ITO薄膜)的2mm接触电极施加5000Hz、60V的AC(交流)控制信号或者场。在该情况下，PDLC薄膜的切换区域的宽度为8mm，裂隙长度＝5cm，施加的控制信号电压＝5000Hz,60V；以及铜电极宽度＝2mm。Figure 3 is a graph showing the response of a frequency-controllable electro-optic device embodied as a PDLC film according to the concept of the present invention, whereby 5000 Hz is applied using a 2 mm contact electrode attached to a crack-controlling portion (i.e., an ITO film) on a PET substrate. , 60V AC (alternating current) control signal or field. In this case, the width of the switching region of the PDLC film is 8 mm, the length of the gap = 5 cm, the applied control signal voltage = 5000 Hz, 60 V; and the width of the copper electrode = 2 mm.

图4为显示根据本发明的概念的图像，其显示了降低施加到装置的控制信号或者场的频率如何导致了更邻近的控制部分由施加的场充电。在该示例中，500Hz,60V AC控制场施加到2mm的电极。这样，较宽区域(20mm)的PDLC薄膜通过该降低频率的AC场切换，裂隙长度＝5cm，施加的控制信号电压＝500Hz,60V；以及铜电极宽度＝2mm。Figure 4 is an image showing the concept according to the present invention, showing how reducing the frequency of the control signal or field applied to the device results in more adjacent control parts being charged by the applied field. In this example, a 500Hz, 60V AC control field was applied to 2mm electrodes. Thus, a wider area (20 mm) of PDLC film was switched by the reduced frequency AC field, gap length = 5 cm, applied control signal voltage = 500 Hz, 60 V; and copper electrode width = 2 mm.

图5为显示根据本发明的概念的图像，其显示了装置的裂隙的PDLC薄膜的长度如何影响了由施加的AC场充电的邻近的控制部分。在该情况下，裂隙的控制部分的长度已经从图像所示的5cm增大到10cm。通过施加相同的5000Hz,60V AC控制场，裂隙宽度从8mm降低到7mm。裂隙长度＝10cm，施加的控制信号电压＝5000Hz,60V；以及铜电极宽度＝2mm。Figure 5 is an image showing the concept according to the present invention, which shows how the length of the PDLC film of the gap of the device affects the adjacent control part charged by the applied AC field. In this case, the length of the controlling portion of the fissure has increased from 5 cm as shown in the image to 10 cm. By applying the same 5000Hz, 60V AC control field, the crack width was reduced from 8mm to 7mm. Slit length = 10 cm, applied control signal voltage = 5000 Hz, 60 V; and copper electrode width = 2 mm.

图6为显示根据本发明的概念的图像，其显示了较低频率的500Hz,60V A.C控制场何时施加到具有裂隙长度为10cm的装置上，待切换的电子光学响应材料(PDLC)的区域降低到17mm。裂隙长度＝10cm，施加的控制信号电压＝500Hz,60V；以及铜电极宽度＝2mm。Figure 6 is an image showing the concept according to the present invention, which shows the region of the electro-optical responsive material (PDLC) to be switched when a lower frequency 500Hz, 60V A.C control field is applied to a device with a slit length of 10cm down to 17mm. Slit length = 10 cm, applied control signal voltage = 500 Hz, 60 V; and copper electrode width = 2 mm.

图7为显示根据本发明的概念的图像，其显示了装置的控制部分的裂隙长度进一步增大到27cm如何减小了切换的PDLC薄膜的宽度。裂隙长度＝27cm，施加的控制信号电压＝5000Hz,60V；以及铜电极宽度＝2mm。Figure 7 is an image showing the concept according to the present invention, which shows how further increasing the slit length to 27 cm in the control part of the device reduces the width of the switched PDLC film. Slit length = 27 cm, applied control signal voltage = 5000 Hz, 60 V; and copper electrode width = 2 mm.

图8为显示根据本发明的概念的图像，其显示了装置的控制部分的裂隙长度＝27cm，施加的控制信号电压＝500Hz,60V；以及PDLC薄膜的铜电极宽度＝2mm。Fig. 8 is an image showing the concept according to the present invention, which shows the slit length of the control part of the device = 27cm, the applied control signal voltage = 500Hz, 60V; and the copper electrode width of the PDLC film = 2mm.

图9为显示根据本发明的概念的图像，其显示了具有施加的控制信号电压＝0volts的装置的PDLC薄膜；Fig. 9 is an image showing the concept according to the present invention, which shows the PDLC film of the device with applied control signal voltage = 0 volts;

图10为显示根据本发明的概念的图像，其显示了具有施加其上的较低的50HZ,60VA.C控制场的装置的PDLC，施加的电压＝60volts,50Hz。Figure 10 is an image showing the concept according to the present invention, which shows the PDLC of the device with a lower 50HZ, 60VA.C control field applied thereon, applied voltage = 60volts, 50Hz.

图11为显示根据本发明的概念的图像，其显示了将施加的控制信号的频率增大到2000Hz如何导致了待解决的装置的控制部分的更窄的区域。在该情况下，解决的电极位于裂隙ITO薄膜的边缘处和在切换的(清洁)区域的中间。施加的控制信号电压＝60volts,2000Hz。Figure 11 is an image showing the concept according to the invention, showing how increasing the frequency of the applied control signal to 2000 Hz results in a narrower area of the control part of the device to be addressed. In this case, the resolved electrodes are located at the edges of the cracked ITO film and in the middle of the switched (clean) area. Applied control signal voltage = 60volts, 2000Hz.

图12为显示根据本发明的概念的图像，其显示了增大控制信号的AC场如何进一步降低了由控制部分切换的电子光学响应层的区域的宽度。所施加的控制信号电压＝60volts,5000Hz。Figure 12 is an image showing the concept according to the present invention, showing how increasing the AC field of the control signal further reduces the width of the area of the electro-optical responsive layer switched by the control part. Applied control signal voltage = 60volts, 5000Hz.

具体实施方式Detailed ways

如图1所示，本发明的实施方式提供了一种频率可控的电光装置10，其包括用于利用液晶材料和其组合物来控制透光状态和不透明状态之间的装置的过渡的任何装置。例如，电光装置10可以包括但是不限于基于液晶的装置，例如，液晶显示装置、聚合物分散型液晶装置、双稳态胆甾型装置、追求主体快门(quest host shutter)等。装置10包括基板20，基板20由刚性材料、柔性材料或者二者的组合。在一些实施方式中，基板20包括透明的或者部分透明的材料。此外，在一些实施方式中，基板20可以包括任何合适的柔性聚合物或者塑料材料，例如PET(聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯)、聚碳酸酯材料、聚酰亚胺材料等。在其他实施方式中，基板20可以包括薄膜，例如，显示在附图的图1的薄膜或者任何其他合适的柔性基板。As shown in FIG. 1 , embodiments of the present invention provide a frequency controllable electro-optic device 10 comprising any means for controlling the transition of the device between a transmissive state and an opaque state using liquid crystal materials and compositions thereof. device. For example, electro-optic device 10 may include, but is not limited to, liquid crystal-based devices such as liquid crystal display devices, polymer dispersed liquid crystal devices, bistable cholesteric devices, quest host shutters, and the like. The device 10 includes a substrate 20 made of a rigid material, a flexible material, or a combination of both. In some embodiments, substrate 20 includes a transparent or partially transparent material. Additionally, in some embodiments, the substrate 20 may comprise any suitable flexible polymer or plastic material, such as PET (polyethylene terephthalate), polycarbonate material, polyimide material, and the like. In other embodiments, substrate 20 may comprise a thin film, for example, the thin film shown in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, or any other suitable flexible substrate.

透明导电层30定位成邻近于基板20。然而，在其他实施方式中，透明导电层30可以通过各种其他材料的一个或多个其他干预层与基板20分离，例如，氧化硅薄膜。透明导电层30包括任何合适的、至少部分地透光的材料(其同样导电)，例如，包括ITO(铟锡氧化物)。通过利用在层30中形成裂隙的任何合适的工艺，透明导电层30图案化成形成为条状、条带状或者段的电极(这里，称为控制部分40)，工艺包括根据在国际申请No.PCT/US 14/72751中提出的、名称为“Method of Patterning Electrically-Conductive Film on a FlexibleSubstrate”的“裂隙”工艺，该专利申请通过引用并入本文中；以及美国申请No.13/721,312、名称为“Method of Patterning Electrically-Conductive Film on FlexibleSubstrates”，其同样通过引用并入本文中。即，每一单独的控制部分40通过一对间隔开的裂隙线42(如图1所示)而与其他直接邻近的部分40分离。这样，一对直接邻近或者连续的裂隙线42用于限定之间的单独的部分40。应当理解的是，尽管控制部分40在附图中显示为拉长段，但是控制部分40可以形成为具有任何合适的形状和相关的宽度和长度尺寸，只要每一控制部分40通过一个或多个单独或连续的裂隙线42完全与每一其他控制部分40分离或者隔绝。即，在装置10的其他实施方式中，控制部分40可以呈现任何所需形状或者设计。同样应当可以理解的是，裂隙线42本身可被配置成直线、曲线或者二者的组合。例如，在装置10的一些实施方式中，裂隙线42和部分40可以基本上互相平行，尽管仍然提供了与其邻近或者接近的其他控制部分40的一定水平的电接合。因此，裂隙线42被配置成透明导电层30内的裂隙或断裂，这由于其性质形成了较高的电阻，其作用为介电部，并且将单独的部分40中的每一者彼此分离或者隔绝。这样，裂隙线42用于提供每一部分40与一个或多个其他部分40之间的部分电绝缘，同时，允许电场经由邻近于直接控制部分40A的其他控制部分40B中感应出的控制信号而直接施加到一个控制部分(即，直接控制部分)40A，但是并非直接接收控制信号(即，间接控制部分)。这样，由裂隙线42提供的电绝缘仍然能够将邻近的控制部分40以一定程度或者一定水平电子连通，其通过所使用的控制信号的频率确定。应当理解的是，如这里使用的术语“邻近的”来限定直接控制部分40A和间接控制部分40B之间的位置关系，包括以下的位置：其中，控制部分40A和40B彼此靠近、直接挨着彼此、以及接近或者靠近彼此。The transparent conductive layer 30 is positioned adjacent to the substrate 20 . However, in other embodiments, transparent conductive layer 30 may be separated from substrate 20 by one or more other intervening layers of various other materials, for example, a silicon oxide film. The transparent conductive layer 30 comprises any suitable at least partially light transmissive material which is also conductive, including for example ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). The transparent conductive layer 30 is patterned into strips, stripes or segments of electrodes (herein, referred to as control portions 40) by utilizing any suitable process for forming slits in the layer 30, the process including according to International Application No. "Crack" process as proposed in PCT/US 14/72751, entitled "Method of Patterning Electrically-Conductive Film on a Flexible Substrate," which patent application is incorporated herein by reference; and U.S. Application No. 13/721,312, titled is "Method of Patterning Electrically-Conductive Film on Flexible Substrates," which is also incorporated herein by reference. That is, each individual control portion 40 is separated from other immediately adjacent portions 40 by a pair of spaced apart split lines 42 (as shown in FIG. 1 ). As such, a pair of directly adjacent or continuous slit lines 42 serves to define a separate portion 40 therebetween. It should be understood that although the control sections 40 are shown in the drawings as elongated sections, the control sections 40 may be formed to have any suitable shape and relative width and length dimensions so long as each control section 40 passes through one or more A single or continuous slit line 42 is completely separated or insulated from every other control portion 40 . That is, in other embodiments of device 10, control portion 40 may take on any desired shape or design. It should also be appreciated that the slit line 42 itself may be configured as a straight line, a curved line, or a combination of both. For example, in some embodiments of device 10 , slit line 42 and portion 40 may be substantially parallel to each other, while still providing some level of electrical engagement with other control portions 40 that are adjacent or proximate. Thus, the crack lines 42 are configured as fissures or breaks in the transparent conductive layer 30, which by their nature form a higher resistance, which acts as a dielectric and separates each of the individual portions 40 from each other or isolated. In this way, the slot lines 42 serve to provide partial electrical isolation between each portion 40 and one or more other portions 40, while allowing electric fields to be directly controlled via control signals induced in other control portions 40B adjacent to the direct control portion 40A. Applies to a control section (ie, direct control section) 40A, but does not receive control signals directly (ie, indirect control section). In this way, the electrical isolation provided by the slot line 42 is still capable of electrically communicating adjacent control portions 40 to a degree or level determined by the frequency of the control signal used. It should be understood that the term "adjacent" as used herein defines the positional relationship between direct control portion 40A and indirect control portion 40B, including positions where control portions 40A and 40B are close to each other, directly next to each other , and close to or close to each other.

应当理解的是，多个直接控制部分40A可以连续地一起分组，如图2所示。此外，直接控制部分40A可以与另一直接控制部分40A分离，可以为任何数目的干预间接控制部分40B。而且，间接控制部分40B可以以任何所需的数目一起分组。It should be understood that multiple direct control sections 40A may be grouped together in succession, as shown in FIG. 2 . Furthermore, a direct control portion 40A may be separate from another direct control portion 40A, and there may be any number of intervening indirect control portions 40B. Also, indirect control sections 40B may be grouped together in any desired number.

应当理解的是，在一些实施方式中，导电层30可以单独地形成，并且利用任何合适的技术而施加到基板20。It should be understood that, in some embodiments, conductive layer 30 may be formed separately and applied to substrate 20 using any suitable technique.

除了图案化的导电部分40，电光装置10还包括基板50，如图2所示，其与基板20间隔开。应当理解的是，如前面所讨论的，基板50可以等效于基板20。导电涂层或者层52设置成邻近于基板50，其可以包括任何合适的、至少部分透光材料(其同样导电)，例如包括ITO(铟锡氧化物)。同样，应当可以理解的是，在一些实施方式中，导电层52可以通过任何合适的干预层与基板50分离。设置成邻近于基板50的导电层52可被配置，从而其为一个连续部分，其在基板50或者基板50的一部分上延伸。可替选地，导电层52可以形成或者图案化成多个单独的部分54，其通过介电部分或者线56分离，其利用传统的光刻或者类似的技术而形成，以及利用“裂隙”工艺而形成，其用于形成与第一基板20相关的线42。换句话说，接近于基板20的导电层30被配置成包括“裂隙”ITO条带或者部分40，同时，接近于基板50的导电层52可以形成为一个连续的导电和透明层(即，ITO)或者可以图案化以包括多个单独的导电和透明部分54(类似于前面讨论的部分40)，并且其可以任何所需的方式形成，例如，通过“裂隙”工艺、光刻蚀刻工艺等。In addition to the patterned conductive portion 40 , the electro-optic device 10 also includes a substrate 50 , as shown in FIG. 2 , which is spaced apart from the substrate 20 . It should be understood that substrate 50 may be equivalent to substrate 20 as previously discussed. A conductive coating or layer 52 is provided adjacent to the substrate 50, which may comprise any suitable, at least partially light transmissive material (which is also conductive), including for example ITO (Indium Tin Oxide). Likewise, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments, conductive layer 52 may be separated from substrate 50 by any suitable intervening layer. Conductive layer 52 disposed adjacent to substrate 50 may be configured such that it is a continuous portion that extends over substrate 50 or a portion of substrate 50 . Alternatively, conductive layer 52 may be formed or patterned into individual portions 54 separated by dielectric portions or lines 56 formed using conventional photolithography or similar techniques, and formed using a "slit" process. formed, which is used to form the lines 42 associated with the first substrate 20 . In other words, conductive layer 30 proximate substrate 20 is configured to include "slit" ITO strips or portions 40, while conductive layer 52 proximate substrate 50 may be formed as one continuous conductive and transparent layer (i.e., ITO ) or can be patterned to include a plurality of separate conductive and transparent portions 54 (similar to the previously discussed portion 40), and which can be formed in any desired manner, for example, by a “slit” process, photolithographic etch process, etc.

此外，装置10包括电子光学响应层60，其在本文中被限定为材料层，或者材料的复合物，在将电场施加在其上时，其能够可选择地改变光学状态，例如在不透明和透明状态之间，以及其中的任何状态。电子光学响应层60设置在导电层30和52之间。在一些实施方式中，电子光学响应层60可以设置在装置10中，从而邻近于或者直接邻近于导电层30和52。然而，在其他实施方式中，电子光学响应层60可以通过任何其他合适地干预层与导电层30和52分离。电子光学响应层60可以由任何合适的电子光学响应层形成，包括但不限于液晶材料、向列型液晶材料、胆甾型液晶材料、聚合物分散型液晶(PDLC)材料、悬浮颗粒、电致变色油墨(例如电子油墨)等。应当理解的是，在一些实施方式中，电子响应层60可以包括触摸感测层。Additionally, device 10 includes an electro-optical responsive layer 60, defined herein as a layer of material, or composite of materials, capable of selectively changing an optical state, such as between opaque and transparent, when an electric field is applied thereto. between states, and any states within them. Electro-optically responsive layer 60 is disposed between conductive layers 30 and 52 . In some embodiments, electro-optically responsive layer 60 may be disposed in device 10 so as to be adjacent to or directly adjacent to conductive layers 30 and 52 . However, in other embodiments, electro-optically responsive layer 60 may be separated from conductive layers 30 and 52 by any other suitable intervening layer. The electro-optic response layer 60 may be formed from any suitable electro-optic response layer, including but not limited to liquid crystal materials, nematic liquid crystal materials, cholesteric liquid crystal materials, polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) materials, suspended particles, electro-optical Color-changing ink (such as electronic ink), etc. It should be understood that, in some embodiments, electronically responsive layer 60 may comprise a touch-sensing layer.

如前面所讨论的、电光装置10可以包括两个图案化的导电层30和52，其设置在两个分离的、间隔开的基板上，例如各个基板20、50。例如，图案化的导电材料可以包括“裂隙”ITO控制部分40，其设置在柔性基板20上。显示材料或者触摸感测材料设置在导电层30和52之间，显示材料或者触摸感测材料例如为胆甾型液晶或绝缘体。为了控制装置10的操作，驱动电路200被配置，从而其仅仅直接连接到由装置10提供的ITO部分40的总数目的一部分或者子集。即，装置10包括导电控制部分40，其中，一部分(即，直接控制部分40A)直接地联结到驱动电路200，同时，另一部分(即，间接控制部分40B)不联结到驱动电路200。在操作期间，驱动电路200将一个或者多个频率的AC(交流)电压控制信号施加到直接联结到其的每一个直接控制部分40A。由于施加了AC电压控制信号，产生了图像或者触摸感测区域，其尺寸通过所施加的AC电压控制信号的频率控制。因此，频率可控的液晶装置10通过“裂隙”工艺或者其他合适技术、由设置在基板上的导电ITO材料或者薄膜图案化成为多个导电部分40(例如，形成ITO)，其中的每一者通过介电线而彼此分离，这允许相邻的、邻近的导电部分40二者电绝缘和电连接，这取决于所用的控制信号的频率。此外，频率可控的装置利用了最少数目的电极，由此，将驱动电路200直接联结到控制部分40的信号施加电极的总数目小于在装置10中可用的导电控制部分40的总数目。As previously discussed, the electro-optical device 10 may include two patterned conductive layers 30 and 52 disposed on two separate, spaced-apart substrates, such as each substrate 20 , 50 . For example, the patterned conductive material may include “slit” ITO control portions 40 disposed on the flexible substrate 20 . A display material or a touch sensing material is disposed between the conductive layers 30 and 52 , and the display material or touch sensing material is, for example, a cholesteric liquid crystal or an insulator. In order to control the operation of the device 10 , the driver circuit 200 is configured such that it is only directly connected to a fraction or subset of the total number of ITO sections 40 provided by the device 10 . That is, device 10 includes conductive control portion 40, of which one part (i.e., direct control portion 40A) is directly coupled to drive circuit 200, while the other portion (i.e., indirect control portion 40B) is not coupled to drive circuit 200. During operation, the driver circuit 200 applies an AC (alternating current) voltage control signal of one or more frequencies to each direct control portion 40A directly coupled thereto. Due to the application of the AC voltage control signal, an image or touch sensing area is created, the size of which is controlled by the frequency of the applied AC voltage control signal. Accordingly, the frequency controllable liquid crystal device 10 is patterned by a "slit" process or other suitable technique from a conductive ITO material or thin film disposed on a substrate into a plurality of conductive portions 40 (e.g., forming ITO), each of which Separated from each other by a dielectric line, this allows both adjacent, adjacent conductive parts 40 to be electrically isolated and electrically connected, depending on the frequency of the control signal used. Furthermore, the frequency controllable device utilizes a minimum number of electrodes, whereby the total number of signal applying electrodes directly coupling drive circuit 200 to control section 40 is less than the total number of conductive control sections 40 available in device 10 .

为了控制装置10的操作，利用了驱动电路200，驱动电路200通过一个或多个电极210而联结到装置10并且联结到导电层52，电极210与导电层30的图案化部分40的总数目的一部分或者子集可操作地电子连通。应当理解的是，电极210二者可以导电并且至少部分地透光。在一些实施方式中，电极210直接地附接到部分40，或者可以利用任何合适的装置间接地联结其上，包括通过薄膜晶体管等。在其他实施方式中，一个电极210可以仅仅联结到一个控制部分40，或可替选地，一个电极40可以联结到多个控制部分40，如图2所示。在一些实施方式中，控制部分40和电极210可以集成在一起作为一个总的结构，这允许控制电路210直接地联结到控制部分40。应当可以理解的是，驱动电路200包括必要的硬件、软件或者二者的组合，以使得本文中讨论的装置10的各种功能可行。这样，仅仅特定的导电部分(称为直接控制部分40A)能够直接地接收来自驱动电路200的控制信号，特定的导电部分通过电极210而直接地连接到驱动系统200。此外，不直接联结到驱动电路(称为间接控制部分40B)的其他部分40不接收控制信号并且处于电性漂浮。应当理解的是，由驱动电路200产生的控制信号可以包括AC(交流)信号，例如，AC电压信号。应当理解的是，驱动电路200可以产生相同或者不同频率的多个控制信号，以应用到多个各个控制部分40A。In order to control the operation of the device 10, a driver circuit 200 is utilized, which is coupled to the device 10 and to the conductive layer 52 via one or more electrodes 210, a fraction of the total number of patterned portions 40 of the conductive layer 30. Or a subset is operatively in electronic communication. It should be understood that both electrodes 210 may be electrically conductive and at least partially optically transmissive. In some embodiments, electrodes 210 are attached directly to portion 40, or may be coupled thereto indirectly by any suitable means, including through thin film transistors or the like. In other embodiments, one electrode 210 may be coupled to only one control portion 40 , or alternatively, one electrode 40 may be coupled to multiple control portions 40 , as shown in FIG. 2 . In some embodiments, the control portion 40 and the electrode 210 can be integrated together as one overall structure, which allows the control circuit 210 to be directly coupled to the control portion 40 . It should be understood that the driving circuit 200 includes necessary hardware, software or a combination of the two to enable various functions of the device 10 discussed herein. In this way, only a specific conductive part (referred to as the direct control part 40A) can directly receive the control signal from the driving circuit 200 , and the specific conductive part is directly connected to the driving system 200 through the electrode 210 . Furthermore, other parts 40 that are not directly coupled to the drive circuit (referred to as indirect control parts 40B) do not receive control signals and are electrically floating. It should be understood that the control signal generated by the driving circuit 200 may include an AC (alternating current) signal, for example, an AC voltage signal. It should be understood that the drive circuit 200 may generate multiple control signals of the same or different frequencies for application to multiple individual control sections 40A.

应当理解的是，在一些实施方式中，电极210的宽度可以大于或者小于一个控制部分40的宽度。这样，如有必要，一个电极210可以联结到一个控制部分40或者一个电极210可以联结到多个控制部分40。It should be understood that, in some embodiments, the width of the electrode 210 may be larger or smaller than the width of one control portion 40 . Thus, one electrode 210 may be coupled to one control section 40 or one electrode 210 may be coupled to a plurality of control sections 40, if necessary.

在装置10的其他实施方式中，基板50和/或导电层52可以移除并且不使用，这样，控制电路200仅仅联结到电极210，电极210直接控制由导电层30提供的直接控制部分40A，如图2所示。还应当理解的是，控制电路200直接联结到其的控制部分40可以与一个或多个电极210分离，一个或多个电极210不联结到驱动电路200。装置10的该配置形成了平面内的电场，电场用于控制电子光学响应层60的光学状态。In other embodiments of the device 10, the substrate 50 and/or the conductive layer 52 may be removed and not used, such that the control circuit 200 is only coupled to the electrode 210 which directly controls the direct control portion 40A provided by the conductive layer 30, as shown in picture 2. It should also be understood that the control portion 40 to which the control circuit 200 is directly coupled may be separate from the one or more electrodes 210 that are not coupled to the drive circuit 200 . This configuration of device 10 creates an in-plane electric field that is used to control the optical state of electro-optically responsive layer 60 .

在操作期间，驱动电路200将AC(交流)控制信号施加到电极210，以直接地给联结到其的导电部分40通电，其在本文中被称为直接控制部分40A，从而在其中产生电场。由于在直接控制部分40A中应用电场，故邻近或者以其他方式暴露到由通电的直接控制部分40A发射的电场的电子光学响应层60的光学状态(即，透明或者不透明的)，基于控制信号的存在/不存在、密度和/或频率控制和选择性改变。此外，对于由直接控制部分40A发射的电场，从一个或多个其他间接控制部分40B发射的另外的电场定位成邻近于或者以其他方式靠近或者接近直接控制部分40A的一者。即，间接控制部分40B同样提供了电场，该电场由直接控制部分40A感应出，间接控制部分40B与直接控制部分40A邻近或者邻近定位或者相关。然而，应当理解的是，间接控制部门40B的活跃的以将电场传输到电子光学响应层60的数目基于或者通过AC控制信号的频率确定，AC控制信号被传输到直接控制部分40A，并且在直接和间接控制部分40A-B中形成电场。由控制部分40A-B产生的电场的轮廓可以通过改变所施加的控制信号的频率而连续调整。换句话说，调节输送到直接控制部分40A的控制信号的频率用于调整间接控制部分40B的施加电场的数目，该电场足以控制电子光学响应层60的光学状态。因此，在光学状态得以控制的电子光学响应层60的区域的尺寸基于直接施加的AC控制信号的频率确定。这样，由控制部分40A-40B施加的电场具有以下效果：控制电子光学响应层60的光学状态(在基本不透明状态到至少部分透明状态)并且反之亦然，以及在二者之间的所有的光学状态。During operation, drive circuit 200 applies an AC (alternating current) control signal to electrode 210 to directly energize conductive portion 40 coupled thereto, referred to herein as direct control portion 40A, thereby generating an electric field therein. As a result of the application of the electric field in the direct control portion 40A, the optical state (i.e., transparent or opaque) of the electro-optical response layer 60 adjacent to or otherwise exposed to the electric field emitted by the energized direct control portion 40A is determined based on the control signal. Presence/absence, density and/or frequency control and selectivity change. Furthermore, for the electric field emitted by the direct control portion 40A, additional electric fields emitted from one or more other indirect control portions 40B are positioned adjacent to or otherwise close to or near one of the direct control portions 40A. That is, the indirect control portion 40B also provides an electric field that is induced by the direct control portion 40A, and the indirect control portion 40B is positioned adjacent or adjacent to or associated with the direct control portion 40A. However, it should be understood that the number of indirect control sections 40B active to transmit an electric field to the electro-optical response layer 60 is based on or determined by the frequency of the AC control signal transmitted to the direct control section 40A, and at the direct An electric field is formed in the and indirect control portions 40A-B. The profile of the electric field produced by the control sections 40A-B can be continuously adjusted by varying the frequency of the applied control signal. In other words, adjusting the frequency of the control signal delivered to the direct control portion 40A is used to adjust the number of applied electric fields of the indirect control portion 40B sufficient to control the optical state of the electro-optical response layer 60 . Thus, the size of the region of the electro-optical response layer 60 where the optical state is controlled is determined based on the frequency of the directly applied AC control signal. Thus, the electric fields applied by the control portions 40A-40B have the effect of controlling the optical state of the electro-optical response layer 60 (from a substantially opaque state to an at least partially transparent state) and vice versa, and all optical states in between. state.

换句话说，因为从“裂隙”工艺图案化的导电部分40仍然彼此电性连通，则直接控制部分40A能够提供其直接接收来自AC控制信号的电场，但是还能够在邻近的间接控制部分40B中感应出电场，其不直接接收控制信号。因此，在以下区域中可以控制电子光学响应层60的区域的光学状态：不仅在接近直接控制部分40A的区域中，而且在接近于间接控制部分40B的电子光学响应层60的区域中。即，由装置10利用的驱动电路200不需要联结到每一导电部分40，以便提供对于装置10的光学状态的控制。事实上，导电部分40的总数目的仅仅一小部分或者一部分直接联结到驱动电路200。因为该设计，电极的数目最小化，驱动电路能够显著地简化，由此允许装置10的成本基本上降低。In other words, since the conductive portions 40 patterned from the “slit” process are still in electrical communication with each other, the direct control portion 40A is able to provide the electric field it receives directly from the AC control signal, but also in the adjacent indirect control portion 40B. An electric field is induced, which does not directly receive a control signal. Therefore, the optical state of the region of the electro-optical response layer 60 can be controlled not only in the region close to the direct control portion 40A but also in the region of the electro-optic response layer 60 close to the indirect control portion 40B. That is, drive circuitry 200 utilized by device 10 need not be coupled to each conductive portion 40 in order to provide control over the optical state of device 10 . In fact, only a fraction or a fraction of the total number of conductive portions 40 are directly coupled to the driver circuit 200 . Because of this design, the number of electrodes is minimized and the drive circuitry can be significantly simplified, thereby allowing the cost of the device 10 to be substantially reduced.

应当理解的是，裂隙控制部分40还提供了产生电场轮廓的简单和优越的装置，其具有随着控制部分40的数目或者将浮动的间接控制部分40B与直接控制部分40A分离的距离的增大而连续减小的密度(电压梯度)。作为与直接控制部分40A的距离的函数的该电场轮廓减少的速度通过调节所施加的AC控制信号或者场而改变。对电场轮廓的该精确的调谐还可被用在各种其他应用中，包括但是不限于光束控制和可调谐的透镜应用。It should be appreciated that the slit control sections 40 also provide a simple and superior means of generating electric field profiles with increasing number of control sections 40 or distance separating floating indirect control sections 40B from direct control sections 40A while continuously decreasing density (voltage gradient). The rate at which this electric field profile decreases as a function of distance from the direct control portion 40A is varied by adjusting the applied AC control signal or field. This precise tuning of the electric field profile can also be used in a variety of other applications, including but not limited to beam steering and tunable lens applications.

实验结果Experimental results

体现为PDLC的装置10的依频率的线性图像通过将PDLC电子光学响应薄膜夹在两个PET基板之间而形成，两个PET基板中的每一者涂覆有在其内表面上的透明的ITO薄膜。在PET基板的一者上的ITO通过以下工艺而裂隙：该工艺在国际申请No.PCT/US14/72751、名称为“Method of Patterning Electrically-Conductive Film on a Flexible Substrate”中讨论的(其通过引用而并入本文)、以及美国申请No.13/721,312、名称为“Method ofPatterning Electrically-Conductive Film on Flexible Substrates”(其通过引用而并入本文)。第二基板包括在PET基板上的连续的平面ITO层。一个电接触部联结到PET基板上的连续的平面ITO层，以及第二电接触部(其宽度大约为2mm)联结到PET基板上的裂隙ITO。测量得到PDLC薄膜的响应为所施加的60V幅度的AC(交流)场/信号的频率的函数。在施加足够幅度的AC场时，PDLC薄膜从离散状态切换到清除状态。PDLC薄膜的白色区域在图3-8中所示处于光离散状态中(即，未切换状态中)，同时，在接触电极上居中的较暗区域具有施加其上的足够的AC场，以切换到光传输状态(即，清除状态)中。The frequency-dependent linear image of the device 10 embodying PDLC was formed by sandwiching the PDLC electro-optically responsive film between two PET substrates, each of which was coated with a transparent ITO film. The ITO on one of the PET substrates was fissured by a process discussed in International Application No. PCT/US14/72751, entitled "Method of Patterning Electrically-Conductive Film on a Flexible Substrate" (which is incorporated by reference incorporated herein), and U.S. Application No. 13/721,312, entitled "Method of Patterning Electrically-Conductive Film on Flexible Substrates" (which is incorporated herein by reference). The second substrate comprised a continuous planar ITO layer on a PET substrate. One electrical contact was bonded to the continuous planar ITO layer on the PET substrate, and a second electrical contact (which was about 2mm wide) was bonded to the split ITO on the PET substrate. The response of the PDLC film was measured as a function of the frequency of an applied AC (alternating current) field/signal of 60V amplitude. Upon application of an AC field of sufficient magnitude, the PDLC film switches from a discrete state to a cleared state. The white regions of the PDLC film are shown in Figures 3-8 in the light discrete state (i.e., in the unswitched state), while the darker region centered on the contact electrode has sufficient AC field applied thereto to switch into the optical transmission state (ie, the clear state).

表格1：根据本发明的概念的装置10的PET基板上的由“裂隙”ITO条带或者部分形成的PDLC薄膜中的依频率的线性宽度的综述。Table 1 : Summary of the linear width as a function of frequency in a PDLC film formed by "slit" ITO strips or sections on a PET substrate of a device 10 according to the concept of the present invention.

PDLC薄膜中切换的或者可控的区域/区域的依频率的宽度可以在多种应用中使用，例如产生具有最少数目的电极的高功能窗。可以独立地切换的最大数目的区域通过所使用的电触头的数目确定，同时，通过所施加的AC场的频率来控制切换区域的宽度。特别地，该窗应用(显示在下面的图片中)产生了电子盲效应，该效应可以通过由所施加的频率确定的所解决的区域的宽度而在视觉上升高或者降低。频率可控的百叶窗，其上的显示区域为26cm x 42cm。该PDLC窗的操作显示在图9-12中。The frequency-dependent width of switched or controllable regions/areas in PDLC films can be used in a variety of applications, such as creating highly functional windows with a minimum number of electrodes. The maximum number of areas that can be switched independently is determined by the number of electrical contacts used, while the width of the switched area is controlled by the frequency of the applied AC field. In particular, the window application (shown in the picture below) produces an electronic blinding effect which can be visually raised or lowered by the width of the resolved area determined by the applied frequency. Frequency controllable shutter with a display area of 26cm x 42cm. The operation of the PDLC window is shown in Figures 9-12.

该PDLC窗利用分散为聚合物粘合剂的液滴的向列液晶。这样，PDLC薄膜将液晶材料的响应的简单呈现提供给由控制部分40产生的电场轮廓，以及如何通过调整所施加的AC控制信号或者场的频率来调整该电场轮廓。纯向列或者手征向列相液晶将以类似的方式进行响应。可以理解的是，在本文中呈现的示例中使用的PDLC薄膜提供了所施加的电场的轮廓的视觉图像以及该轮廓如何随着来自控制电路200的所施加的AC控制信号或者场而改变的清晰呈现。The PDLC window utilizes nematic liquid crystals dispersed as droplets of a polymer binder. In this way, the PDLC film provides a simple representation of the response of the liquid crystal material to the electric field profile generated by the control section 40, and how this electric field profile can be tuned by adjusting the applied AC control signal or the frequency of the field. Pure nematic or chiral nematic liquid crystals will respond in a similar manner. It can be appreciated that the PDLC film used in the examples presented herein provides a clear visual image of the profile of the applied electric field and how this profile changes with the applied AC control signal or field from the control circuit 200 presented.

因此，可以看出，本发明的目的已经通过上述使用的结构和其使用方法得到了满足。虽然根据专利法规，只有最佳的模式和优选实施方式已经被提出并且被详细描述，但是应该理解的是，本发明不限于此或者被此限制。因此，为了理解本发明的真实范围和广度，应当参考以下权利要求。It will thus be seen that the objects of the invention have been met by the above described use of the structure and method of use thereof. While only the best mode and preferred embodiment have been presented and described in detail in accordance with the patent statutes, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to or by them. For an understanding of the true scope and breadth of the present invention, therefore, reference should be made to the following claims.