公开(公告)号：US12130521B1

公开(公告)日：2024-10-29

申请号：US17989447

申请日：2022-11-17

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Peter F Masschelein ,  David E Kingman ,  Yunseok Lee

IPC: G02F1/1337 ,  B60J3/04 ,  E06B3/673 ,  E06B9/24 ,  G02F1/1333 ,  G02F1/1343

CPC classification number: G02F1/133796 ,  B60J3/04 ,  E06B3/673 ,  E06B9/24 ,  G02F1/133302 ,  G02F1/134363 ,  E06B2003/67395 ,  E06B2009/2464 ,  G02F2202/28

Abstract: A vehicle or other system may have windows. A window may include an outer glass layer having a concave inner surface and an inner glass layer having a convex inner surface. Transparent conductive electrodes may be formed on the concave inner surface and the convex outer surface. A liquid crystal layer such as a nanocapsule guest-host liquid crystal layer may be interposed between the transparent conductive electrodes. During manufacturing, a first layer of liquid crystal may be coated onto the transparent electrode on the outer glass layer, and a second layer of liquid crystal may be coated onto the transparent electrode on the inner glass layer. The two coated glass layers may then be pressed together in a vacuum chamber so that the first and second liquid crystal layers merge and become a homogenous layer, thereby removing surface irregularities in the liquid crystal layers and reducing undesired haze.

公开(公告)号：US12090821B1

公开(公告)日：2024-09-17

申请号：US17364209

申请日：2021-06-30

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Yuan Chen ,  Falu Yang ,  Haiqing Xianyu ,  Peter F. Masschelein ,  Sang Un Choi ,  Xiaokai Li ,  Yunseok Lee ,  Zhibing Ge

IPC: G02F1/1334 ,  B60J3/04 ,  E06B9/24 ,  G02F1/1337

CPC classification number: B60J3/04 ,  E06B9/24 ,  G02F1/1334 ,  G02F1/133711 ,  E06B2009/2464

Abstract: A system such as a vehicle, building, or electronic device system may have a support structure with one or more windows. The support structure and window may separate an interior region within the system from a surrounding exterior region. Control circuitry may receive input such as user input and may adjust an adjustable layer in the window based on the input. The adjustable layer may be an adjustable light transmission layer. The adjustable light transmission layer may have a polymer matrix layer with embedded guest-host liquid crystal cells. Each cell may have liquid crystal material and dichroic dye. The adjustable light transmission layer may be operated in a dark state to prevent light from passing through the window, a clear state in which the window passes light, and intermediate states that exhibit intermediate light transmission levels.

公开(公告)号：US11693279B1

公开(公告)日：2023-07-04

申请号：US17683731

申请日：2022-03-01

Applicant: Apple Inc.

Inventor： Yunseok Lee ,  Haiqing Xianyu ,  Junhwan Lim ,  Peter F Masschelein ,  Sang Un Choi ,  Xiaokai Li ,  Yuan Chen ,  Zhibing Ge

IPC: G02F1/1339 ,  B60J3/04 ,  G02F1/137 ,  G02F1/1343

CPC classification number: G02F1/1339 ,  B60J3/04 ,  G02F1/13725 ,  G02F1/134309

Abstract: A system may have windows. The window may have first and second window layers and a layer of material such as guest-host liquid crystal material between the first and second window layers. Electrodes on the window layers may be used to apply electric fields to the guest-host liquid crystal material to adjust the light transmission properties of the window. To ensure that a desired gap between the first and second window layers is maintained, spacers may be formed between the first and second window layers. The spacers may include key-and-lock spacers that have interlocking portions located, respectively, on the first and second window layers. Spacers such as photoresist posts can be attached using adhesive. Hybrid arrangements may also be used in which key-and-lock spacer structures are attached using adhesive bonds.