JP7540372B2 - Light-controlling glass control system, control device, and light-controlling glass control method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a light control glass control system, a control device, and a method for controlling light control glass.

In recent years, there has been progress in the development of light-controlling glass, whose transmittance changes depending on the applied voltage. It is expected that such light-controlling glass will be used in vehicle windows and other applications. For example, light-controlling glass is expected to be implemented as an alternative to driver's sun visors, curtains on rear door glass, and movable shades on roof glass.

Patent Document 1 discloses technology related to a light-control film that includes a light-control layer and a transparent conductive film that applies a voltage to the light-control layer.

JP 2015-215417 A

The transmittance of light-controlling glass changes depending on the applied voltage. Specifically, light-controlling glass can be controlled to have a transparent state with maximum transmittance, a light-shielding state with minimum transmittance, and a semi-transparent state with transmittance intermediate between maximum and minimum by changing the applied voltage. Here, the transmittance of light-controlling glass is controlled using the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass (applied voltage), and in a specific range, the transmittance is approximately linear with respect to the applied voltage (see Figure 4).

However, the characteristics of light-controlling glass, i.e., the transmittance characteristics in relation to the applied voltage, can vary depending on the manufacturer and lot. For this reason, when controlling multiple light-controlling glasses, there is a problem in that the variation in the transmittance characteristics of each piece of light-controlling glass must be taken into consideration.

In view of the above problems, the object of the present invention is to provide a light-controlling glass control system, a control device, and a control method for light-controlling glass that can suppress variations in the transmittance of each light-controlling glass when controlling multiple light-controlling glasses.

A light control glass control system according to one aspect of the present invention comprises:
A plurality of light-controlling glasses each having a light-controlling function;
A control device for controlling the transmittance of the plurality of light control glasses,
The light control glass is configured so that its transmittance changes in response to an applied voltage,
The control device has a function of correcting inherent variation in the transmittance characteristics with respect to the applied voltage that each of the light control glasses has.

In the above-mentioned light control glass control system,
The control device may store, for each of the light control glasses, voltage correction information for adjusting the transmittance of each of the light control glasses to a predetermined transmittance,
The control device may determine each voltage value for making the transmittance of each of the light control glasses a predetermined transmittance, using voltage correction information for each of the light control glasses.

In the above-mentioned light control glass control system,
The voltage correction information for each light control glass may be information relating to a function that represents the transmittance characteristics of each light control glass with respect to an applied voltage.

In the above-mentioned light control glass control system,
Each of the light control glasses may have a property that transmittance changes in response to a change in temperature,
The control device may have a function of correcting a change in transmittance of each of the light control glasses in response to the temperature change.

In the above-mentioned light control glass control system,
The plurality of light-control glasses include a first light-control glass and a second light-control glass,
The difference between the transmittance of the first light-controlling glass at a first temperature and the transmittance at a second temperature lower than the first temperature may be defined as a first transmittance difference, and the difference between the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass at the first temperature and the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass at the second temperature may be defined as a second transmittance difference, and when the first transmittance difference is greater than the second transmittance difference, the control device may adjust the applied voltage to the second light-controlling glass so that the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass approaches the transmittance of the first light-controlling glass at the second temperature.

In the above-mentioned light control glass control system,
The control device may store, as voltage correction information, the applied voltage to the second light control glass when the transmittance of the first light control glass and the transmittance of the second light control glass become aligned at the second temperature.

In the above-mentioned light control glass control system,
The plurality of light-control glasses include a first light-control glass and a second light-control glass,
The difference between the transmittance of the first light-controlling glass at a first temperature and the transmittance at a second temperature lower than the first temperature may be defined as a first transmittance difference, and the difference between the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass at the first temperature and the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass at the second temperature may be defined as a second transmittance difference, and when the first transmittance difference is greater than the second transmittance difference, the control device may adjust the applied voltage of the first light-controlling glass so that the transmittance of the first light-controlling glass is maximized at the second temperature, and adjust the applied voltage of the second light-controlling glass so that the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass is equal to the transmittance of the first light-controlling glass after adjustment.

In the above-mentioned light control glass control system,
The control device may store, as voltage correction information, an applied voltage to the first light control glass at which the transmittance of the first light control glass is maximized at the second temperature, and an applied voltage to the second light control glass when the transmittance of the second light control glass becomes equal to the transmittance of the first light control glass after adjustment.

In the above-mentioned light control glass control system,
The plurality of light-control glasses include a first light-control glass and a second light-control glass,
When the temperature dependence of the transmittance of the first and second light control glasses is linear, the control device may determine the applied voltage to the first and second light control glasses according to the temperatures of the first and second light control glasses.

In the above-mentioned light control glass control system,
Each of the light control glasses is
A light-control film whose transmittance changes depending on the applied voltage.
and glass into which the light control film is enclosed or to which the light control film is attached to a surface.

In the above-mentioned light control glass control system,
The plurality of light control glasses may be at least two of a rear left seat window glass, a rear right seat window glass, and a roof glass.

The control device according to one aspect of the present invention is a control device that controls a number of light-controlling glasses whose transmittance changes depending on the applied voltage, and has a function of correcting the inherent variation in transmittance with respect to the applied voltage that each of the light-controlling glasses has.

A method for controlling light-controlling glass according to one aspect of the present invention is a method for controlling a plurality of light-controlling glasses whose transmittance changes in response to an applied voltage, and when controlling the transmittance of the plurality of light-controlling glasses, the method controls the transmittance of each of the light-controlling glasses to correct the inherent variation in transmittance with respect to the applied voltage.

The present invention provides a light-controlling glass control system, a control device, and a control method for light-controlling glass that can suppress variations in the transmittance of each light-controlling glass when controlling multiple light-controlling glasses.

1 is a block diagram for explaining a light control glass control system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view for explaining a configuration example of light control glass. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view for explaining another configuration example of the light control glass. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the applied voltage and the transmittance of light control glass. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a control method for light control glass according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a control method for light control glass according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a control method for light control glass according to the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a control method for light control glass according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a control method for light control glass according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a control method for light control glass according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a control method for light control glass according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a control method for light control glass according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a control method for light control glass according to a second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining a control method for light control glass according to a second embodiment.

<First embodiment>
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
Fig. 1 is a block diagram for explaining a light control glass control system according to a first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, a light control glass control system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of light control glasses 11a to 11c, a plurality of drive units 12a to 12c, a plurality of operation units 13a to 13c, and a control device 14. Hereinafter, the light control glasses 11a to 11c may be collectively referred to as light control glass 11. Similarly, the drive units 12a to 12c and the operation units 13a to 13c may be referred to as drive unit 12 and operation unit 13.

Note that FIG. 1 shows an example configuration including three light control glasses 11a to 11c, three drive units 12a to 12c, and three operation units 13a to 13c that correspond to the three light control glasses. However, in this embodiment, the number of multiple light control glasses 11 can be determined arbitrarily as long as it is two or more. Furthermore, the number of drive units 12 and operation units 13 can also be determined arbitrarily according to the number of light control glasses 11.

Each of the light control glasses 11a to 11c has a light control function that changes the transmittance according to the applied voltage. For example, the light control glasses 11a to 11c are configured so that the transmittance increases as the applied voltage increases (see Figure 4).

Figures 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views for explaining an example of the configuration of light-control glass. As shown in Figure 2, for example, light-control glass 11 is composed of light-control film 25 whose transmittance changes depending on the applied voltage, and glass 21, 22 in which light-control film 25 is sealed. In other words, glass 21, 22 is laminated glass with intermediate film 23 sandwiched therebetween, and in the example configuration shown in Figure 2, light-control glass 11 is composed by sealing light-control film 25 in the location where intermediate film 23 is located.

The light control film 25 has a light control function in which the transmittance changes according to the applied voltage. A voltage is supplied to the light control film 25 using wiring 26. The light control film 25 can be a suspended particle device, a polymer dispersion type liquid crystal, a polymer network type liquid crystal, a guest-host liquid crystal, a TN (Twisted Nematic) type liquid crystal, a PC (Phase Change) type liquid crystal, a STN (Super Twisted Nematic) type liquid crystal, an ECB (Electrically Controlled Birefringence) type liquid crystal, an OCB (Optically Compensated Bend) type liquid crystal, an IPS (In-Place Switching) type liquid crystal, a VA (Vertical Alignment) type liquid crystal, an FFS (Fringe Field Switching) type liquid crystal, an FPA (Field-induced Photo-reactive Alignment) type liquid crystal, an electrochromic, an electrokinetic, an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence), an inorganic EL, or the like.

For example, when the light control film 25 is a polymer dispersed liquid crystal, the light control film 25 has a liquid crystal layer and an electrode layer, and when a voltage is applied from the wiring 26, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer are aligned, so that the transmittance of the light control film 25 becomes high. In this embodiment, the transmittance of the light control film 25 is adjusted by adjusting the voltage applied to the light control film 25 and adjusting the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules. Note that the light control film 25 may be of a type whose transmittance becomes low when a voltage is applied from the wiring 26.

In this embodiment, as in the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the light control glass 11 may be formed by attaching a light control film 25 to the surface of one of the panes 22 that constitute the laminated glass. Note that in this embodiment, the light control glass 11 is not particularly limited as long as it is glass that has a light control function in which the transmittance changes depending on the applied voltage.

For example, multiple light control glasses 11 may be used in vehicle glass. For example, when the light control glass 11 is used in an automobile, it may be implemented as an alternative function to a driver's sun visor, a curtain for rear door glass, a movable shade for roof glass, etc. In other words, the light control glass 11 may be used in the window glass for the left rear seat, the window glass for the right rear seat, roof glass, etc. Note that in this embodiment, the location where the light control glass 11 is used is not limited to vehicles and automobiles, and there is no limit to the location where the light control glass 11 is used as long as multiple light control glasses 11 can be used.

A user operates the operation units 13a to 13c to adjust the transmittance of each of the light control glasses 11a to 11c. The control unit 14 generates a control signal for adjusting the transmittance of each of the light control glasses 11a to 11c based on the operation signal supplied from each of the operation units 13a to 13c. The control signal generated by the control unit 14 is supplied to each of the drive units 12a to 12c. Each of the drive units 12a to 12c generates a drive voltage corresponding to the control signal supplied from the control unit 14. The drive voltage (applied voltage) generated by each of the drive units 12a to 12c is supplied to each of the light control glasses 11a to 11c. Through such operations, the transmittance of each of the light control glasses 11a to 11c is controlled according to the operation of each of the operation units 13a to 13c. The control device 14 may generate a control signal for simultaneously adjusting the transmittance of multiple light control glasses among the light control glasses 11a to 11c based on an operation signal supplied by any of the operation units 13a to 13c.

In the light control glass control system 1 according to this embodiment, the control device 14 is characterized in that when controlling the transmittance of the multiple light control glasses 11a to 11c, the control device 14 controls the transmittance to correct the inherent variation in the transmittance characteristics of each of the light control glasses 11a to 11c with respect to the applied voltage. The method by which the control device 14 corrects the inherent variation of the light control glasses 11a to 11c is described in detail below.

Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the voltage applied to the light control glass 11 and the transmittance characteristics. As shown in Figure 4, the transmittance of the light control glass 11 changes depending on the applied voltage. Specifically, the light control glass 11 can control a transmitting state in which the transmittance is maximum, a light blocking state in which the transmittance is minimum, and a semi-transmitting state in which the transmittance is intermediate between the maximum and minimum by changing the applied voltage. Here, the transmittance of the light control glass 11 is controlled using the voltage applied to the light control glass (applied voltage), and in a specific region, the transmittance with respect to the applied voltage approximates linearly (linear region). In this embodiment, "linear" does not need to satisfy a strict mathematical definition, and it is sufficient if it can be approximated linearly.

However, the characteristics of light-controlling glass, that is, the transmittance characteristics with respect to the applied voltage, may vary depending on the manufacturer and lot. For example, the transmittance characteristics with respect to the applied voltage may vary depending on the type of liquid crystal or polymer used in the light-controlling glass (light-control film), the cell gap of the liquid crystal element, the liquid crystal concentration, etc. In addition, the transmittance characteristics with respect to the applied voltage may vary depending on the electrical elements of the elements that make up the light-controlling glass (light-control film), such as the sheet resistance of the electrodes, wiring resistance, equivalent series resistance, and electrostatic capacitance. For this reason, when controlling multiple light-controlling glasses, there is a problem in that the variation in the transmittance characteristics of each light-controlling glass must be taken into consideration.

In the light control glass control system 1 according to the present embodiment, when the control device 14 controls the transmittance of the multiple light control glasses 11a to 11c, the control device 14 controls the transmittance of the multiple light control glasses 11a to 11c so as to correct the inherent variation in the transmittance characteristics of each of the light control glasses 11a to 11c with respect to the applied voltage. Specifically, the control device 14 stores, for each light control glass, voltage correction information for adjusting the transmittance of each light control glass 11 to a predetermined transmittance. The control device 14 then uses the voltage correction information for each light control glass 11 to determine the respective voltage values for adjusting the transmittance of each light control glass 11 to the predetermined transmittance. For example, the voltage correction information for each light control glass 11 is information relating to a function that represents the transmittance characteristics of each light control glass 11 with respect to the applied voltage.

Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining a method for controlling light-controlling glass according to this embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a method for determining a function (hereinafter also referred to as a voltage correction function) that represents the transmittance characteristics of the light-controlling glass with respect to the applied voltage as voltage correction information for each light-controlling glass.

When determining the voltage correction function, two or more arbitrary applied voltages are set in the region where the transmittance characteristics of the light-controlling glass are linear with respect to the applied voltage (linear region). The arbitrary applied voltages that have been set are then applied to the light-controlling glass, and the transmittance at this time is measured using a transmittance meter. For example, a haze meter is used as the transmittance meter. Then, the coordinate information of two or more points thus obtained (the relationship between the applied voltage and the transmittance) is used to determine an x-order function (x is an integer of 1 or greater). For example, if the voltage correction function is a linear function, then two points of coordinate information are required. If the voltage correction function is a quadratic function, then three points of coordinate information are required.

When the voltage correction function is a linear function, arbitrary coordinates Pa and Pb are obtained as shown in Figure 5. That is, applied voltages Va and Vb are set, and these applied voltages Va and Vb are applied to the light control glass, respectively, and the transmittances Ta and Tb at this time are measured using a transmittance meter. This allows the coordinates Pa (Va, Ta) and coordinates Pb (Vb, Tb) to be obtained.

If the slope of the linear function is k, the intercept is d, a given transmittance is Tex, and the applied voltage at which the given transmittance Tex is obtained is VRMSx, the relationship between the transmittance Tex and the applied voltage VRMSx can be expressed by the following equation 1.

Tex=k・VRMSx+d...Formula 1

The values of the slope k and intercept d can be determined by substituting the values of the coordinates Pa and Pb calculated above into VRMSx and Tex in Equation 1. Therefore, the applied voltage VRMSx to obtain a specified transmittance Tex can be determined by using the calculated values of the slope k and intercept d and Equation 1.

The control device 14 in this embodiment determines such a voltage correction function for each light control glass and stores this information as voltage correction information for each light control glass. Therefore, the applied voltage VRMSx to obtain a predetermined transmittance Tex can be set for each light control glass 11a to 11c.

The above method is an example, and the invention according to this embodiment may use a method other than the above to determine the voltage correction function. For example, if the arbitrary applied voltage has three or more values, the applied voltage at which the desired transmittance is obtained may be determined using linear approximation using the least squares method or curve approximation using polynomial approximation. In addition, while the above method uses the relationship between visible light transmittance and applied voltage, total light transmittance, parallel transmittance, diffuse transmittance, haze, etc. may be used on the vertical axis (corresponding to transmittance), and effective voltage, duty ratio, voltage amplitude, switching frequency, etc. may be used on the horizontal axis (corresponding to applied voltage).

Next, a specific example of the control method for light control glass according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. In Figures 6 and 7, light control glass RD-L indicates the light control glass on the left side of the rear seat, light control glass RD-R indicates the light control glass on the right side of the rear seat, and light control glass RF indicates the roof glass. The example shown in Figures 6 and 7 shows an example in which the characteristics of light control glass RF are different from those of light control glass RD-L and RD-R.

In the examples shown in Figures 6 and 7, a case will be described in which the transmittance of each light control glass is unified to 60%. First, voltages _V1 (30 Vrms) and _V2 (60 Vrms) are applied to each light control glass, and the transmittance of each light control glass at these applied voltages is measured. Here, Vrms indicates effective voltage. Note that the values of the voltages _V1 and _V2 applied to each light control glass are not limited to 30 Vrms and 60 Vrms, and may be determined appropriately.

The table shown in Fig. 7 shows the transmittance of each light control glass at applied voltages _V1 and _V2 . In other words, since the transmittance at applied voltages of 30 Vrms and 60 Vrms is obtained, the coordinates of two points are determined for each light control glass. Therefore, the slope k and intercept d of Equation 1 showing the relationship between the transmittance Tex and the applied voltage VRMSx of each light control glass are determined.

When the transmittance Tex of each light-control glass is to be unified to 60%, the transmittance Tex = 60 is substituted into equation 1, which shows the transmittance of each light-control glass, to determine the value of the applied voltage VRMSx. At this time, since the slope k and intercept d of equation 1 are determined for each light-control glass, the applied voltage VRMSx required to achieve a transmittance of 60% can be determined for each light-control glass. By applying the applied voltage VRMSx determined in this way to each light-control glass, the transmittance of each light-control glass can be unified to 60%.

As described above, the invention according to this embodiment has a function of correcting the inherent variation in transmittance of each piece of light-controlling glass with respect to the applied voltage. Therefore, the invention according to this embodiment can suppress the occurrence of variation in the transmittance of each piece of light-controlling glass when controlling multiple pieces of light-controlling glass.

In other words, by substituting the desired transmittance for the transmittance Tex in Equation 1, the parameter value (applied voltage VRMSx) for obtaining the desired transmittance can be easily obtained for each of multiple light control glasses with different characteristics.

For example, if the invention according to this embodiment is used in a light control glass for a vehicle, the time required for the process of adjusting the visibility of multiple light control glasses during vehicle manufacturing can be reduced.

In addition, in the invention according to this embodiment, after the voltage correction information (Equation 1 above) is obtained, when setting an arbitrary transmittance, the parameter value (applied voltage VRMSx) can be calculated using the voltage correction information. Therefore, even if there are multiple stages of transmittance to be set, it is not necessary to measure the transmittance for each stage and adjust the parameter value. Furthermore, even if a transmittance measuring device is not available (e.g., user setting), an arbitrary desired transmittance can be additionally set.

<Embodiment 2>
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the second embodiment, a case where the change in transmittance of each light control glass is corrected in response to a change in temperature will be described. That is, in the present invention, the "inherent variation in the transmittance characteristics of each light control glass with respect to an applied voltage" also includes the variation in the transmittance characteristics of each light control glass in response to a change in temperature. The invention according to this embodiment may be used in appropriate combination with the invention described in the first embodiment.

Figure 8 is a diagram for explaining the control method of light-controlling glass according to this embodiment, and shows the transmittance characteristics of each light-controlling glass with respect to the applied voltage. Figure 8 shows the applied voltage and transmittance characteristics of light-controlling glass A and light-controlling glass B at temperatures of 25°C and -10°C. As shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment, each light-controlling glass has a property that the transmittance changes according to temperature changes. Specifically, the transmittance of light-controlling glass A at -10°C is lower than the transmittance at 25°C. Similarly, the transmittance of light-controlling glass B at -10°C is lower than the transmittance at 25°C.

In this way, if each light control glass has a property in which the transmittance changes in response to temperature changes, it is necessary to adjust the voltage applied to the light control glass in response to the temperature at which the light control glass is used. In other words, even if the transmittance of each light control glass is uniform at 25°C, the transmittance of each light control glass will change at -10°C, resulting in a deviation in the transmittance of each light control glass. To solve this problem, the light control glass control system of this embodiment has a function to correct the change in the transmittance of each light control glass in response to temperature changes. The light control glass control system (control method of light control glass) of this embodiment will be described in detail below.

Figures 9 to 11 are diagrams for explaining the control method of the light control glass according to this embodiment, and are diagrams for explaining a first control example. In the first control example, the difference between the transmittance of light control glass A at a first temperature (25°C) and the transmittance at a second temperature (-10°C) lower than the first temperature is set as the first transmittance difference, and the difference between the transmittance of light control glass B at the first temperature (25°C) and the transmittance at the second temperature (-10°C) is set as the second transmittance difference. Then, when the first transmittance difference is larger than the second transmittance difference, the control device 14 adjusts the applied voltage to light control glass B so that the transmittance of light control glass B approaches the transmittance of light control glass A at the second temperature (-10°C).

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, at 25°C, light control glass A and light control glass B have a variation in transmittance with respect to the applied voltage. For this reason, the method described in embodiment 1 is used to correct the variation in transmittance between light control glass A and light control glass B. In other words, to obtain the same transmittance T0, the applied voltage is Va0 for light control glass A and Vb0 for light control glass B.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 10, when light control glass A and light control glass B are used at -10°C, applying a voltage Va0 to light control glass A and a voltage Vb0 to light control glass B results in variation in transmittance. Specifically, at -10°C, the transmittance of light control glass A is the transmittance at coordinate Pa0, and the transmittance of light control glass B is the transmittance at coordinate Pb0. In the example shown in FIG. 10, the difference ΔPa between the transmittance of light control glass A at 25°C and the transmittance at -10°C is greater than the difference ΔPb between the transmittance of light control glass B at 25°C and the transmittance at -10°C. Therefore, at -10°C, light control glass A has a lower transmittance than light control glass B.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 11, the control device 14 adjusts the applied voltage to the light control glass B so that the transmittance of the light control glass B (the transmittance value at coordinate Pb0) approaches the transmittance of the light control glass A (the transmittance value at coordinate Pa0) at -10°C. In other words, by adjusting the applied voltage of the light control glass B from Vb0 to Vb1, the transmittance of the light control glass B can be made the same as the transmittance T1 of the light control glass A at a temperature of -10°C. This makes it possible to align the transmittance of the light control glass A and the transmittance of the light control glass B to the transmittance T1.

For example, the control device 14 may store, as voltage correction information, the applied voltage Vb1 of the light control glass B when the transmittance of the light control glass A and the transmittance of the light control glass B are the same at -10°C. This allows the parameters (applied voltage) of the light control glass B to be quickly determined when the light control glass A and the light control glass B are used at a temperature of -10°C.

Figures 12 and 13 are diagrams for explaining the control method of the light control glass according to this embodiment, and are diagrams for explaining the second control example. In the second control example, the difference between the transmittance of the light control glass A at the first temperature (25°C) and the transmittance at the second temperature (-10°C) lower than the first temperature is set as the first transmittance difference, and the difference between the transmittance of the light control glass B at the first temperature (25°C) and the transmittance at the second temperature (-10°C) is set as the second transmittance difference. Then, when the first transmittance difference is larger than the second transmittance difference, the control device 14 adjusts the applied voltage to the light control glass A so that the transmittance of the light control glass A is maximized at the second temperature (-10°C), and adjusts the applied voltage to the light control glass B so that the transmittance of the light control glass B is equal to the transmittance of the light control glass A after adjustment.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, when light control glass A and light control glass B are used at -10°C, applying a voltage Va0 to light control glass A and a voltage Vb0 to light control glass B results in variation in transmittance. That is, the transmittance of light control glass A is the transmittance at coordinate Pa0, and the transmittance of light control glass B is the transmittance at coordinate Pb0. In this case, as in the case shown in FIG. 10, the difference ΔPa between the transmittance of light control glass A at 25°C and the transmittance at -10°C is greater than the difference ΔPb between the transmittance of light control glass B at 25°C and the transmittance at -10°C. Therefore, at -10°C, light control glass A has a lower transmittance than light control glass B.

In the second control example, first, the control device 14 adjusts the applied voltage at the light control glass A from Va0 to Va2 so that the transmittance of the light control glass A is maximized at a temperature of -10°C. For example, the maximum transmittance is the transmittance T2 that is the maximum in the region where the transmittance characteristics of the light control glass A change linearly with respect to the applied voltage.

After that, as shown in FIG. 13, the applied voltage of the light control glass B is adjusted from Vb0 to Vb2 so that the transmittance of the light control glass B matches the transmittance T2 of the light control glass A after adjustment. This makes it possible to match the transmittance of the light control glass A and the transmittance of the light control glass B to the transmittance T2. In the case of control example 2, the transmittance of the light control glass A and the light control glass B are matched to the maximum transmittance T2 of the light control glass A, which has the lower maximum transmittance at a temperature of -10°C, out of the light control glass A and the light control glass B. Therefore, it is possible to set the transmittance to the maximum transmittance that can be set at a temperature of -10°C.

For example, the control device 14 may store, as voltage correction information, the applied voltage Va2 of the light control glass A at which the transmittance of the light control glass A is maximized at a temperature of -10°C, and the applied voltage Vb2 of the light control glass B when the transmittance of the light control glass B becomes equal to the transmittance T2 of the light control glass A after adjustment. This allows the parameters (applied voltages) of the light control glasses A and B to be quickly determined when the light control glasses A and B are used at a temperature of -10°C.

11 and 13, the voltage applied to the light-controlling glass B is adjusted so that the transmittance of the light-controlling glass B is the same as that of the light-controlling glass A. At this time, the determination that the transmittance of the light-controlling glass B is the same as that of the light-controlling glass A may be made using the measurement results of a transmittance meter, or may be made visually by the user. For example, the control device 14 may determine the applied voltages Vb1 and Vb2 after correction of the light-controlling glass B as the voltages applied when it receives a signal indicating that the transmittance of the light-controlling glass B is the same as that of the light-controlling glass A. The signal indicating that the transmittance of the light-controlling glass B is the same as that of the light-controlling glass A may be supplied to the control device 14 from the transmittance meter, or may be supplied to the control device 14 by the user operating the operation unit 13.

Figure 14 is a diagram for explaining the control method of the light control glass according to this embodiment, and is a diagram for explaining a third control example. As shown in Figure 14, when the temperature dependence of the transmittance of light control glass A and light control glass B is linear, the control device 14 may determine the applied voltage of light control glass A and the applied voltage of light control glass B according to the temperatures of light control glass A and light control glass B, respectively.

Specifically, as shown in Figure 14, if the temperature dependence of the transmittance of light-controlling glass A is linear, then line La connecting coordinate Pa where light-controlling glass A has transmittance T0 at 25°C and coordinate Pa3 where light-controlling glass A has transmittance T3 at -10°C will be a straight line. Similarly, if the temperature dependence of the transmittance of light-controlling glass B is linear, then line Lb connecting coordinate Pb where light-controlling glass B has transmittance T0 at 25°C and coordinate Pb3 where light-controlling glass B has transmittance T3 at -10°C will be a straight line.

When such a relationship exists, the amount of change in transmittance per degree Celsius is constant, so after determining the coordinates Pa (25°C) and Pa3 (-10°C) of light-control glass A and the coordinates Pb (25°C) and Pb3 (-10°C) of light-control glass B, the voltages applied to light-control glass A and B can be determined using these relationships. In other words, at any intermediate temperature, the voltages applied to light-control glass A and B to obtain a specified transmittance can be determined.

Specifically, the equation for line La is found using the values of coordinate Pa and coordinate Pa3 of light control glass A. Similarly, the equation for line Lb is found using the values of coordinate Pb and coordinate Pb3 of light control glass B. Then, by substituting the value of the transmittance Tex to be set into these equations, the applied voltages for light control glasses A and B can be determined.

In the above explanation, an example was given in which light-controlling glass A and B were used at 25°C and -10°C, but the multiple temperatures and the number of temperatures at which light-controlling glass A and B are used can be determined arbitrarily from three or more. For example, the temperatures at which light-controlling glass A and B are used can be three points, namely -10°C, 0°C, and 25°C, respectively, to obtain transmittance characteristics versus applied voltage. Furthermore, when there are three or more arbitrary temperatures, the applied voltage at which the desired transmittance is obtained can be determined using linear approximation using the least squares method or curve approximation using polynomial approximation, etc.

The light control glass control system according to this embodiment may determine in advance a parameter (applied voltage) for correcting the inherent variation in transmittance with respect to the applied voltage of each light control glass 11 at the time of product shipment, and write the determined parameter to a register of the control device 14. The light control glass control system according to this embodiment may determine a parameter (applied voltage) for correcting the inherent variation in the light control glass 11 when the user uses the product. The transmittance of each light control glass 11 may be automatically measured using a transmittance meter. In this case, the control device 14 can automatically obtain the slope k and intercept d shown in FIG. 7. The controls shown in FIGS. 9 to 14 can also be automatically performed.

In the present invention, the control process of the control device 14 may be realized by having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) execute a computer program.

The above-mentioned program can be stored and supplied to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Non-transitory computer readable media include, for example, magnetic recording media, magneto-optical recording media, CD-ROM (Read Only Memory), CD-R, CD-R/W, and semiconductor memory. Magnetic recording media include, for example, flexible disks, magnetic tapes, and hard disk drives. Magneto-optical recording media include, for example, magneto-optical disks. Examples of semiconductor memories include mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, and RAM (Random Access Memory). The program may be supplied to the computer by various types of transient computer readable media. Examples of transient computer readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transient computer readable media can supply the program to the computer via wired communication paths such as electrical wires and optical fibers, or wireless communication paths.

The present invention has been described above in accordance with the above embodiment, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and of course includes various modifications, alterations, and combinations that a person skilled in the art could make within the scope of the invention of the claims of this patent application.

Reference Signs List 1 Light control glass control system 11, 11a to 11c Light control glass 12, 12a to 12c Drive unit 13, 13a to 13c Operation unit 14 Control device 21, 22 Glass 23 Interlayer film 25 Light control film 26 Wiring

Claims (12)

A plurality of light-controlling glasses each having a light-controlling function;
A control device for controlling the transmittance of the plurality of light control glasses,
The light control glass is configured so that its transmittance changes in response to an applied voltage,
The control device has a function of correcting inherent variation in transmittance characteristics with respect to an applied voltage that each of the light control glasses has,
Each of the light control glasses has a property that its transmittance changes in response to a change in temperature,
The control device has a function of correcting a change in transmittance of each of the light control glasses in response to the temperature change.
Dimmable glass control system. The control device stores, for each of the light control glasses, voltage correction information for adjusting the transmittance of each of the light control glasses to a predetermined transmittance,
The control device determines each voltage value for making the transmittance of each of the light control glasses a predetermined transmittance by using voltage correction information for each of the light control glasses.
The dimming glass control system of claim 1 . The light control glass control system according to claim 2, wherein the voltage correction information for each light control glass is information relating to a function that represents the transmittance characteristics of each light control glass with respect to an applied voltage. The plurality of light-control glasses include a first light-control glass and a second light-control glass,
a first transmittance difference is a difference between the transmittance of the first light-controlling glass at a first temperature and the transmittance of the first light-controlling glass at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and a second transmittance difference is a difference between the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass at the first temperature and the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass at the second temperature, and when the first transmittance difference is larger than the second transmittance difference, the control device adjusts an applied voltage to the second light-controlling glass so that the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass approaches the transmittance of the first light-controlling glass at the second temperature.
The dimming glass control system of claim 1 . 5. The light control glass control system according to claim 4, wherein the control device stores, as voltage correction information, an applied voltage to the second light control glass when the transmittance of the first light control glass and the transmittance of the second light control glass become equal at the second temperature. The plurality of light-control glasses include a first light-control glass and a second light-control glass,
a first transmittance difference is a difference between the transmittance of the first light-controlling glass at a first temperature and the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass at a second temperature lower than the first temperature, and a second transmittance difference is a difference between the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass at the first temperature and the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass at the second temperature; and when the first transmittance difference is greater than the second transmittance difference, the control device adjusts an applied voltage to the first light-controlling glass so that the transmittance of the first light-controlling glass is maximized at the second temperature, and adjusts an applied voltage to the second light-controlling glass so that the transmittance of the second light-controlling glass is equal to the transmittance of the first light-controlling glass after adjustment.
The dimming glass control system of claim 1 . 7. The light control glass control system according to claim 6, wherein the control device stores, as voltage correction information, an applied voltage to the first light control glass at which the transmittance of the first light control glass is maximized at the second temperature, and an applied voltage to the second light control glass when the transmittance of the second light control glass becomes equal to the transmittance of the first light control glass after adjustment. The plurality of light-control glasses include a first light-control glass and a second light-control glass,
When the temperature dependence of the transmittance of the first and second light control glasses is linear, the control device determines the voltages applied to the first and second light control glasses according to the temperatures of the first and second light control glasses.
The dimming glass control system of claim 1 . Each of the light control glasses is
A light-control film whose transmittance changes depending on the applied voltage.
A glass in which the light control film is enclosed or to which the light control film is attached on a surface thereof.
The light control glass control system according to any one of claims 1 to 8 . The light control glass control system according to any one of claims 1 to 9 , wherein the plurality of light control glasses are at least two of a rear left seat window glass, a rear right seat window glass, and a roof glass. A control device for controlling a plurality of light control glasses whose transmittance changes according to an applied voltage,
The control device has a function of correcting inherent variation in transmittance with respect to an applied voltage that each of the light control glasses has,
Each of the light control glasses has a property that its transmittance changes in response to a change in temperature,
The control device has a function of correcting a change in transmittance of each of the light control glasses in response to the temperature change.
Control device. A method for controlling a plurality of light control glasses, the transmittance of which changes in response to an applied voltage, comprising:
Each of the light control glasses has a property that its transmittance changes in response to a change in temperature,
When controlling the transmittance of the plurality of light control glasses, control is performed so as to correct inherent variations in transmittance with respect to an applied voltage of each of the light control glasses and to correct changes in the transmittance of each of the light control glasses in response to the temperature change .
A method for controlling light-controlling glass.

Images