GLAZING HAVING A VARIABLE SWITCHABLE FILM
A glazing capable of gradient opacity includes a first glass substrate ( 110 ) and a second glass substrate ( 110 ), a first interlayer ( 214 ) and a second interlayer ( 116 ), provided between the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate, and a switchable film ( 130 ) provided between the first interlayer and the second interlayer. The switchable film includes a switchable material layer ( 220 ) having first and second surfaces (SF 1 , SF 2 ) opposite each other, wherein the switchable material layer ( 220 ) has an uneven effective thickness. A first conductive layer ( 226 ) and a second conductive layer ( 128 ) sandwich the switchable material layer ( 220 ), and a first polymer film ( 222 ) and a second polymer film ( 124 ) sandwich the switchable material layer and the first and second conductive layers.
1 . A glazing comprising:
a first glass substrate and a second glass substrate;
a first interlayer and a second interlayer, wherein the first interlayer and the second interlayer are positioned between the first glass substrate and the second glass substrate; and
a switchable film provided between the first interlayer and the second interlayer, the switchable film comprising:
a switchable material layer having first and second surfaces opposite each other, wherein the switchable material layer varies in effective thickness;
a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, wherein the switchable material layer is positioned between the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer; and
a first polymer film and a second polymer film, wherein the switchable material layer and the first and second conductive layers are positioned between the first polymer film and the second polymer film.
2 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the switchable material layer varies in actual thickness.
3 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the switchable material layer comprises a polymer dispersed liquid crystal.
4 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the switchable material layer comprises a polymer network liquid crystal.
5 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the switchable material layer comprises a suspended particle device.
6 . The glazing according to claim 2 , wherein the switchable material layer has a minimum actual thickness greater than or equal to 5 μm.
7 . (canceled)
8 . (canceled)
9 . The glazing according to claim 2 , wherein the switchable material layer has a maximum actual thickness less than or equal to 60 μm.
10 . (canceled)
11 . (canceled)
12 . The glazing according to claim 2 , wherein the switchable material layer is wedge shaped.
13 . The glazing according to claim 2 , wherein the switchable material layer includes a flat portion and a wedge shaped portion.
14 . The glazing according to claim 2 , wherein at least a part of the switchable material layer has a curved surface.
15 . The glazing according to claim 2 , wherein the switchable material layer has a cross-sectionally stepwise shape.
16 . The glazing according to claim 1 , further comprising an electrical connection to a power source, wherein the power source provides a voltage to the switchable film.
17 . The glazing according to claim 16 , wherein the power source provides from 20 to 120 volts effective voltage to the switchable film.
18 . (canceled)
19 . (canceled)
20 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the glazing is an automotive glazing.
21 . The glazing according to claim 2 , wherein the switchable material layer has a minimum actual thickness and a maximum actual thickness, wherein a difference between the minimum and maximum actual thicknesses is more than 10 μm.
22 . (canceled)
23 . (canceled)
24 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the switchable material layer comprises a liquid crystal material wherein the liquid crystal material comprises liquid crystal droplets, wherein the liquid crystal droplets have a non-uniform density, and wherein the effective thickness of the switchable material layer depends on the density of the liquid crystal droplets.
25 . The glazing according to claim 24 , wherein the liquid crystal droplets are distributed in the switchable material layer to provide a gradient change in density within the switchable material layer.
26 . The glazing according to claim 1 , wherein the switchable material layer comprises suspended particles for a suspended particle device, wherein the suspended particles have a non-uniform density, and wherein the effective thickness of the switchable material layer depends on the density of the suspended particles.
27 . A switchable film, comprising:
a switchable material layer having first and second surfaces opposite each other, wherein the switchable material layer has an uneven effective thickness;
a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, wherein the switchable material layer is positioned between the first and second conductive layers; and
a first polymer film and a second polymer film, wherein the switchable material layer and the first and second conductive layers are positioned between the first and second polymer films.