Optical: systems and elements – Optical modulator – Light wave temporal modulation
Patent
1990-09-27
1992-04-14
Arnold, Bruce Y.
Optical: systems and elements
Optical modulator
Light wave temporal modulation
359265, G02F 101
Patent
active
051053039
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an arrangement for a covering element made from an at least partially transparent base material, which comprises an integrated electro-chromatic layer for electrical control of the light transmission through the covering element.
It is previously known, in different connections, to design glass sheets and other transparent covering elements with electro-chromatic layers, by means of which the light transmission through the glass sheet can be controlled. In this connection the electro-chromatic layer usually comprises two electrically conductive layers, which surround on both sides an ionically conductive layer. By means of exposing the ionically conductive layer, via the electrically conductive layers, to different electrical voltage fields, the light transmission can be controlled through the ionically conductive layer and thus through the whole covering element also. The electrical voltage necessary for the control is usually obtained from a per se conventional voltage source. According to what is stated, for example, in the American patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,021 which relates to a solar-cell powered clock, a battery can also be used as a voltage source. In this case, inside the electro-chromatic layer, a number of photocells are arranged, which convert the light incident on them into electrical power in order to charge a battery. Since the electro-chromatic layer is arranged outside the photocells, it is possible to control the light incident on the photocells and thus control the electrical power emitted from the photocells. This is used in order to prevent overloading of the battery which is connected to the photocells.
As far as vehicles are concerned, use has been made of electro-chromatic layers in windscreens and other covering elements only in certain prototype cars. The intention in this case is among other things to be able, in sunny weather, to prevent too much sunlight shining into an area to be irradiated by the sunlight, such as, the interior space of the vehicle and thus the associated increase in temperature. This can, however, principally be used during operation of the vehicle when sufficient power is obtained from the generator of the vehicle. The possibilities of preventing an increase in the temperature of the interior space during a long parking time, for example, are limited by the power which is stored in the battery of the vehicle. If parking continues for too long, there is a risk that the battery will be discharged and that as a result of this the vehicle cannot be started.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to overcome this disadvantage of known solutions. The invention thus relates to an arrangement which permits the sun shining into a vehicle to be reduced by means of an electro-chromatic layer in one or more of the covering elements of the vehicle, even when the vehicle is parked for a long time, without the risk of the normal battery of the vehicle being discharged.
This object is achieved according to the invention by a covering element comprising an electro-chromatic layer and an integrated photo-electric layer, outside of the electro-chromatic layer, which converts the light incident on the photo-electric layer into electrical power, and by the photo-electric layer being electrically connected to the electro-chromatic layer and supplying the same with electrical power in proportion to the light which is incident on the photo-electric layer, by means of which the transmission through the covering element is controlled automatically depending upon the incident light.
The arrangement according to the invention permits the electrical power which is required for control of the electro-chromatic layer to be supplied from a separate power source. The electrical power, which is supplied from the photo-electric layer, is proportional to the incident light, which means that the power supply is greatest when the demand is greatest. In this manner, automatic adaptation of po
REFERENCES:
patent: 4599614 (1986-07-01), DeBerry et al.
patent: 4749261 (1988-06-01), McLaughlin et al.
patent: 4750816 (1988-06-01), Ito et al.
patent: 4958917 (1990-09-01), Hashimoto et al.
patent: 5007718 (1991-04-01), Minoura et al.
Arnold Bruce Y.
Phan James
Saab Automobile Aktiebolag
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