Liquid crystal variable color density lens and eye protective devices incorporating the same
US5172256A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 5, 1989 |
| Grant date | Dec 15, 1992 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 5, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02F1/133742
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is a novel and improved variable color/variable density optical system (10) adapted for use in a variety of lens and window applications. The preferred device embodying the invention is a novel optical sunlight protective device (12) incorporating a liquid crystal color lens, a photodetecting sensor component and circuit (18) and oscillating/driving electronic circuit (70), all of the present invention and incorporated in an appropriate frame (24). The lens element (b 14) includes plastic housing (40,42) of a curved shape complementary to any desired fashion design and, a liquid crystalline medium (58) of the novel phase change guest-host type. Combination of the lens construction, homeotropic surface alignment (48, 50) and aforementioned liquid crystal/dye complex brings about the clear, optical distortion-free variable color transmission with broad ranges of color density with incorporated protection against ultraviolet radiation. Two conductive layers of lens elements (44, 46) are connected to the driving electronics (70) of the present invention such that variations in light intensity on the photo-detecting sensor component and circuit (18) result in final…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.