Optical stack, and manufacturing method for same, and smart window including same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12181755-B2
Application number	US-202418639933-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 18, 2024
Priority date	Apr 21, 2023
Publication date	Dec 31, 2024
Grant date	Dec 31, 2024

Abstract

A variable transmittance optical stack and a manufacturing method for the same, and a smart window including the same are proposed, and the variable transmittance optical stack includes a first polarizing plate, a first electrode layer formed on one surface of the first polarizing plate, a second polarizing plate opposing the first polarizing plate, a second electrode layer formed on one surface of the second polarizing plate, and opposing the first electrode layer, and a liquid crystal layer provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer, wherein the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer includes conductive polymers, and the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer have physical alignment structures on at least a part of regions thereof by a rubbing manner.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A variable transmittance optical stack comprising:
a first polarizing plate;
a first electrode layer formed on one surface of the first polarizing plate;
a second polarizing plate opposing the first polarizing plate;
a second electrode layer formed on one surface of the second polarizing plate, and opposing the first electrode layer; and
a liquid crystal layer provided between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer,
wherein the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer comprise conductive polymers, and
the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer have physical alignment structures on at least a part of regions thereof by a rubbing manner.

2. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 , wherein the variable transmittance optical stack is provided without a separate alignment film.

3. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer have a thickness ranging from 100 nm to 3,000 nm.

4. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer have sheet resistance of 200Ω/□ or less.

5. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 , wherein the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer are made of compositions for formation of an electrode layer, and the compositions comprises: conductive polymers; and one or more types selected from a group consisting of organic binders, organic solvents, silane coupling agents, and surfactants.

6. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 5 , wherein the conductive polymers comprise one or more types selected from a group consisting of polythiophene, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), polyaniline, polyacetylene, polydiacetylene, polyphenylene, polyphenylenevinylene, polyphenylenesulfide, polythienylenevinylene, polythiophenevinylene, polyfluorene, polypyrrole, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):polystyrenesulfonate, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):camphorsulfonic acid, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):toluenesulfonic acid, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, polyaniline:polystyrenesulfonate, polyaniline:camphorsulfonic acid, polypyrrole:polystyrenesulfonate, polypyrrole:camphorsulfonic acid, polypyrrole:toluenesulfonic acid, polypyrrole:dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, polythiophene:polystyrenesulfonate, polythiophene:camphorsulfonic acid, polythiophene:toluenesulfonic acid, and polythiophene:dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid.

7. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 , wherein at least one electrode layer from among the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer is formed to come into direct contact with one first polarizing plate from among the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate.

8. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one transparent conductive layer from among a first transparent conductive layer arranged between the first polarizing plate and the first electrode layer; and a second transparent conductive layer arranged between the second polarizing plate and the second electrode layer.

9. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 8 , wherein at least one transparent conductive layer from among the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer has a thickness ranging from 100 nm to 1,000 nm.

10. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 8 , wherein at least one transparent conductive layer from among the first transparent conductive layer and the second transparent conductive layer comprises one or more types selected from a group consisting of transparent conductive oxide, metal, carbonaceous materials, conductive ink, and nanowires.

11. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 , wherein at least one polarizing plate from among the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate comprises one or more types of functional layers selected from a group consisting of a protective layer, a retardation matching layer, and a refractive index-matching layer.

12. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 , wherein at least one polarizing plate from among the first polarizing plate and the second polarizing plate has a thickness ranging from 30 to 200 μm.

13. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 , wherein the liquid crystal layer comprises a ball spacer.

14. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 13 , wherein the ball spacer has a diameter ranging from 1 to 10 μm.

15. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 13 , wherein an occupancy area of the ball spacer in the liquid crystal layer ranges from 0.01% to 10% of an area of the liquid crystal layer.

16. The variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 , wherein the variable transmittance optical stack further comprises one or more types selected from a group consisting of an overcoat layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive/adhesive layer, an UV absorption layer, and a hard coating layer.

17. A manufacturing method for the variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 .

18. A smart window comprising the variable transmittance optical stack of claim 1 .

Assignees

• Dongwoo Fine Chem Co Ltd

Inventors

• Kim Hyung-Hun
• Kim Jin-Ho
• Ryu Hyun-Sun
• Heo Sub

Classifications

• E06B2009/2464

  featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels · CPC title

• B60J3/04

  adjustable in transparency · CPC title

• B60J3/06

  using polarising effect · CPC title

• B60J1/00

  Windows; Windscreens; Accessories therefor (B60J10/00 takes precedence; air curtains instead of windows B60J9/04 {; sealing strips for windshields B60J10/70; sealing sash guides for sliding window panes B60J10/74; glass partitions inside vehicles to protect occupants against personal attack B60R21/12}) · CPC title

• E06B9/24

  Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; {Slat blinds}(operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00) · CPC title