IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,911,791
Granted Patent B2
US 11,911,791 · App. 17/257,878 · Granted Feb 27, 2024

Device with light control structure having magnetizable particles

Inventors: Mark B. O'Neill (Stillwater, MN); Gary E. Gaides (Woodbury, MN); Joseph B. Eckel (Vadnais Heights, MN); Aaron K. Nienaber (Lake Elmo, MN); Ronald D. Jesme (Plymouth, MN); Mark D. Weigel (Hugo, MN)
Assignee: 3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
B05D3/203B05D5/061G02B5/003B05D3/067B05D3/20B05D5/06G02B2207/123
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,911,791
App. No.
17/257,878
Granted
Feb 27, 2024
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to one embodiment, a solar device, comprises one or more photovoltaic cells disposed in an encapsulant and a light control structure including a louver film having a series of louver structures, wherein each louver structure includes one or more groupings of a plurality magnetizable particles aligned at least in a first orientation dispersed in a binding matrix. The light control structure substantially transmits light incident at a first angle and substantially limits transmission of light incident at a second angle. Each louver structure is spaced apart from an adjacent louver structure, wherein each louver structure is substantially aligned in a plane substantially parallel to an adjacent louver structure.

Claims (7)

1. A light control film having a series of louver structures, wherein each louver structure includes a one or more groupings of a plurality magnetizable particles aligned at least in a first orientation dispersed in a binding matrix comprising an optically cured material, the optically cured material having a viscosity of less than about 1350 cps at 25 degrees Celsius prior to curing,

wherein the light control film substantially transmits light incident at a first angle and substantially limits transmission of light incident at a second angle,

wherein each louver structure is spaced apart from an adjacent louver structure by from about 0.05 mm to about 5 mm, wherein each louver structure is aligned in a plane substantially parallel to an adjacent louver structure, and

wherein each louver structure is oriented at a louver angle from about 0° to about 50° from a normal to a light incident surface of the light control structure.

2. The light control film according to claim 1 , wherein light incident on a light input surface exits a light output surface having a maximum relative brightness ratio (RBR) in the major viewing axis direction of 50% or greater and an effective polar viewing angle (EPVA) of 150° or less.

3. The light control film according to claim 2 , wherein light incident on the light input surface exits the light output surface having a maximum relative brightness ratio (RBR) in the major viewing axis direction of 60% or greater.

4. The light control film according to claim 1 , wherein the incidence angle of maximum relative brightness ratio (RBR) is 80° or less.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2021
From: O'NEILL, MARK B; GAIDES, GARY E.; ECKEL, JOSEPH B.; NIENABER, AARON K.; JESME, RONALD D.; WEIGEL, MARK D.
To: COMPANY, 3M INNOVATIVE P
Reel/Frame 054807/0805 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 62699966 · Jul 18, 2018
Related Publication 20210273126A1 · Sep 2, 2021