KR102395404B1 - Low power driving and high responsive mirror case device using polymer dispersed liquid crystal - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a low power driving and high responsive mirror case device using polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) capable of improving a function and usability of the case and providing an aesthetic improvement effect by selectively adding a mirror function using the PDLC in the case for protecting and covering various products such as portable electronic devices, cosmetics, school supplies, accessories, and furniture. For example, disclosed is the low power driving and high responsive mirror case device using PDLC comprising: a case body which covers the products; a PDLC film which is installed on at least one surface of the case body; a reflective film which is attached to a back surface of the PDLC film; a power unit which supplies power to the PDLC film; and a switch unit which is connected between the power unit and the PDLC film, and performs an on/off operation for controlling voltage application to the PDLC film.

Description

LOW POWER DRIVING AND HIGH RESPONSIVE MIRROR CASE DEVICE USING POLYMER DISPERSED LIQUID CRYSTAL device using PDLC

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a low-power driving and high-response mirror case device using a PDLC.

In general, mobile terminals refer to portable electronic devices such as mobile phones, portable computers, PDA's, electronic notebooks, digital cameras, MP3 players, PMPs, household appliances, IN DOOR (in-store automatic order display), and the like. The use of is gradually increasing, and now it has become common enough to become a necessities of life, and the size is also becoming smaller in order to improve portability.

Recently, based on the developed wireless Internet communication network, mobile communication terminals for searching for various information, as well as managing the user's schedule, storing and recording data, have been popularized. It is very convenient for searching and recording data and information.

Accordingly, mobile communication terminals have become high-tech and expensive electronic devices. In addition, in order to protect the exterior of the mobile communication terminal against external shocks or inflow of foreign substances, a case capable of covering the exterior has been put to practical use. The case prevents the appearance of scratches while the user carries the mobile communication terminal, and the case is used for the convenience of carrying and storing the mobile communication terminal when going out.

Accordingly, in recent years, mobile communication terminals having various functions, sizes, and shapes are continuously being released in accordance with the rapid spread and development of mobile communication terminals, and cases suitable for mobile communication terminals having different sizes and shapes A case for a mobile communication terminal is being released.

Conventionally, a case for a mobile communication terminal is for protecting or storing the mobile communication terminal, and its main function is to alleviate an external shock or to suppress the occurrence of scratches such as scratches on the exterior.

On the other hand, not only the case for a mobile communication terminal, but also the cosmetic case can be used at any time while safely storing the contents, and its exterior design is also being developed in various shapes and structures by adding aesthetic elements.

In addition to this, various case devices are being developed and commercialized for functional and aesthetic improvement in various objects such as household appliances, cosmetics, school supplies, accessories, furniture, and IN DOOR (automatic order display inside a store). .

Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0049813 (published date: May 11, 2017) Laid-open Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0107920 (published date: October 04, 2018) Public Utility Model Publication No. 20-2011-0010712 (disclosure date: November 17, 2011)

An embodiment of the present invention is a selective mirror using PDLC in a case for protecting and covering various objects such as portable electronic devices, household appliances, IN DOOR (automatic order display in a store), cosmetics, as well as school supplies, accessories and furniture Provided is a mirror case device that can provide aesthetic improvements as well as enhancement of the function and usability of the case by adding functions.

A low-power driving and high-response mirror case device using a PDLC according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a case body for covering an object; a PDLC film installed on at least one surface of the case body; a reflective film attached to a rear surface of the PDLC film; a power supply unit for supplying power to the PDLC film; and a switch unit connected between the power supply unit and the PDLC film and performing an on/off operation for controlling voltage application to the PDLC film.

In addition, the case body may be manufactured to cover at least one of portable electronic devices, home appliances, cosmetics, school supplies, accessories, furniture, and IN DOOR (automatic order display in a store).

In addition, the power supply unit includes a charger for supplying power to the secondary battery module from a secondary battery module and external power when the case body is manufactured to cover non-portable electronic devices and items that do not use power, , When the case body is manufactured to cover the portable electronic device, it may further include a connector for connecting the secondary battery module and the charging terminal of the portable electronic device to supply power to the secondary battery module from the portable electronic device. can

In addition, the reflective film may be coated with a pigment of at least one color.

In addition, a light emitting material of at least one color may be added to the PDLC film.

In addition, the switch unit may include at least one of a touch switch and a physical switch for on/off.

In addition, the switch unit detects the proximity of an object within a preset distance and area, but receives a switching signal under the condition that the object is not detected within a preset time after detecting the proximity of the object, and turns on and turns on every time the switching signal is input It may include a proximity sensor switch that alternately performs an off operation.

In addition, in the PDLC film, a plurality of PDLC film units may be arranged as one film.

In addition, when a switching signal for applying a voltage to the PDLC film is received from the switch unit, according to a preset animation pattern operation program, a combination of turn on and turn off for each of the PDLC film units and a sequence for a preset time period A control unit for individually controlling power supply to the PDLC film unit may be further included.

In addition, further comprising a vibration detection sensor for detecting a vibration of a preset pattern applied to the case body, wherein the control unit, when the vibration of the preset pattern is detected through the vibration detection sensor, according to a preset animation pattern operation program Power supply to the PDLC film unit may be additionally individually controlled during a time when the vibration detection sensor senses vibration in a turn-on and turn-off combination and order for each of the PDLC film units.

According to the present invention, a selective mirror function using PDLC is provided in a case for protecting and covering various things such as portable electronic devices, household appliances, IN DOOR (automatic order display in a store), cosmetics, as well as school supplies, accessories, and furniture. In addition, it is possible to provide a mirror case device capable of not only improving the function and usability of the case, but also providing an aesthetic improvement effect.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a smart phone mirror case device among low power driving and high responsive mirror case devices using PDLC according to an embodiment of the present invention.
2 and 3 are diagrams illustrating a method of coupling a smart phone to the smart phone mirror case device shown in FIG. 1 .
4 to 6 are views showing the configuration of electrical elements of the smart phone mirror case device shown in FIG. 1 .
7 is a view illustrating a general mirror mode of a PDLC film according to an embodiment of the present invention.
8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating a colored mirror mode of a PDLC film according to an embodiment of the present invention.
10 to 13 are diagrams illustrating an animation pattern operation mode of a PDLC film according to an embodiment of the present invention.
14 and 15 are views illustrating a cosmetic mirror case device as another example among low-power driving and high-responsive mirror case devices using PDLC according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Terms used in this specification will be briefly described, and the present invention will be described in detail.

The terms used in the present invention have been selected as currently widely used general terms as possible while considering the functions in the present invention, but these may vary depending on the intention or precedent of a person skilled in the art, the emergence of new technology, and the like. In addition, in a specific case, there is a term arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in this case, the meaning will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term and the overall content of the present invention, rather than the name of a simple term.

In the entire specification, when a part "includes" a certain element, this means that other elements may be further included, rather than excluding other elements, unless otherwise stated. In addition, terms such as "...unit" and "module" described in the specification mean a unit that processes at least one function or operation, which may be implemented as hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software. .

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, the embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement them. However, the present invention may be embodied in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. And in order to clearly explain the present invention in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and similar reference numerals are attached to similar parts throughout the specification.

1 is a diagram illustrating a smart phone mirror case device among low power driving and high responsive mirror case devices using PDLC according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are the smart phone mirror case shown in FIG. It is a view showing a method of coupling a smart phone to a device, FIGS. 4 to 6 are views showing the electrical element configuration of the smart phone mirror case device shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 7 is a PDLC film according to an embodiment of the present invention of the general mirror mode, FIGS. 8 and 9 are diagrams illustrating the colored mirror mode of the PDLC film according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 10 to 13 are an embodiment of the present invention It is a diagram illustrating an animation pattern operation mode of a PDLC film according to FIG.

1 to 6 and 10 , a low-power driving and high-responsive mirror case device 1000 using a PDLC according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a case body 100, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) film ( 200 ), a reflective film 300 , a power supply unit 400 , a switch unit 500 , a control unit 600 , and at least one of a vibration detection sensor 700 .

Hereinafter, the low power driving and high responsiveness mirror case device 1000 using PDLC according to an embodiment of the present invention is a portable electronic device, home appliance, cosmetics, school supplies, accessories, furniture, IN DOOR (automatic order display inside the store) A case for covering various objects such as, etc. may be applied, but in order to help the understanding of the present invention, a smart phone case device for covering the portable electronic device, that is, the smart phone 10 will be described as an example.

The case body 100 is manufactured in a shape corresponding to the shape of the smart phone 10 as shown in FIGS. By forming the sliding cover 110 on the side of the case body 100 to form an opening for inserting the phone 10 , the smart phone 10 can be easily put into or taken out of the case body 100 . As described above, the case body 100 is a case member for covering various things such as portable electronic devices, home appliances, cosmetics, school supplies, accessories and furniture, and its structure and shape may be slightly changed depending on the cover object. .

The PDLC film 200 may be installed on at least one surface of the case body 100 to serve as a mirror together with the reflective film 300 according to a voltage (or current) applied state. This PDLC film is composed of a polymer liquid crystal dispersed between two ITO films (Indium Tin Oxide Film), and becomes opaque or translucent when no voltage (or current) is applied to the anode, and the current In the applied state, the polymer liquid crystal molecules are arranged in the direction in which the current flows and have the property of changing to a transparent state by allowing light to pass therethrough.

Meanwhile, a pigment of at least one color may be selectively added to the PDLC film 200 during the manufacturing process, and the coating material may include a red dye, a green dye, and a blue dye, respectively. Here, the red dye is DCM(4-(Dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-[p-(dimethylamino)styryl]-4H-pyran), the green dye is coumarin6, and the blue dye is BBOT (2,5) -Bis[5'-tert.-butylbenzoxazolyl(2')]thiophene) or coumarin466 may be included, respectively. In addition, each color dye may further include phosphor particles representing each color. As such, the color dye added to the PDLC film 200 is optional and may be omitted.

The reflective film 300 may be attached to the rear surface of the PDLC film 200 to form a mirror together with the PDLC film 200 when the PDLC film 200 is converted to a transparent state. The reflective film 300 is formed on the base film, the base film, and a thin reflective layer having a longitudinal pattern at regular intervals, a hard coating layer formed on the thin reflective layer, and a base film on which the thin reflective layer is not formed. It may include an adhesive layer having a heat dissipation function. Here, the adhesive layer may include a metal-plated polyester fabric and an adhesive layer formed by coating a mixture of a metal or ceramic-based heat dissipation filler and an acrylic adhesive on both sides of the polyester fabric, and the hard coating layer is polystyrene beads or It may include polymethyl methacrylate beads, and the base film is preferably one selected from the group consisting of a polyester film, a polyethylene naphthalate film, and a polyimide film, but in this embodiment, the configuration of the reflective film 300 is It is not limited as described above, and can be changed to various constituent materials.

The reflective film 300 may be coated with a pigment of at least one color, and the pigment may include a red dye, a green dye, a blue dye, and the like. Here, the red dye is DCM(4-(Dicyanomethylene)-2-methyl-6-[p-(dimethylamino)styryl]-4H-pyran), the green dye is coumarin6, and the blue dye is BBOT (2,5) -Bis[5'-tert.-butylbenzoxazolyl(2')]thiophene) or coumarin466 may be included, respectively. In addition, each color dye may further include phosphor particles representing each color. As such, the color dye added to the reflective film 300 is optional and may be omitted.

As described above, the reflective film 300 forms a colorless mirror together with the PDLC film 200 as shown in FIG. 7 when a voltage (or current) is applied to the PDLC film 200 and becomes transparent as described above. When various color pigments are added as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 , a mirror of the color of the reflective film 300 is formed to further enhance the aesthetic effect of the mirror.

Meanwhile, when the color dye is added to the PDLC film 200 itself, the color dye coated on the reflective film 300 may be omitted.

The power supply unit 400 is a component for supplying power to the PDLC film 200, and when the case body 100 is manufactured to cover non-portable electronic devices and items that do not use power, the secondary battery module ( 410) and a charger 420 for supplying power to the secondary battery module 410 from external power.

In addition, when the case body 100 is manufactured to cover a portable electronic device (eg, a smart phone), the power supply unit 400 supplies power to the secondary battery module 410 from the portable electronic device (eg, a smart phone). It may further include a connector 430 for connecting the secondary battery module 410 and the charging terminal of the portable electronic device (eg, a smart phone) to supply the. Here, the connector 430 is provided not only with a portion connected to the charging terminal of the portable electronic device (eg, a smart phone), but also includes a portion for connection with the external charging terminal of the secondary battery module 410, so that the case body 100 ) is coupled to both charging terminals at the same time, and at the same time, a structure is provided so that it can look like a part of the case body 100 so that in the case of a smart phone case, the connector 430 and the case body 100 are not distinguished from each other. may appear to be integrated.

The switch unit 500 is connected between the power unit 400 and the PDLC film 200 , and may perform an on/off operation for controlling voltage (or current) application to the PDLC film 200 .

The switch unit 500 may include at least one of a touch switch and a physical switch for on/off. For example, a touch sensor or a mechanical on/off switch may be applied as the switch unit 500 .

Alternatively, the switch unit 500 detects the proximity of an object within a preset distance and area, but receives a switching signal under the condition that the object is not detected within a preset time after proximity detection of the object, and turns on every time the switching signal is input and a proximity sensor switch alternately performing a turn-off operation. That is, the proximity sensor switch recognizes an object approaching within a viewing angle of about 3 to 10 cm within a viewing angle of 90 degrees, and turns on or off by recognizing that the recognized object disappears within about 1 to 2 seconds and no object is detected. It generates a switching signal, and when detecting whether or not approaching an object is recognized or not recognized in the same way, a turn-off switching signal is generated if the previous state is turned on, and a turn-on switching signal is generated if the previous state is a turn-off state. can

On the other hand, the PDLC film 200 may be configured in such a way that a plurality of PDLC film units (①, ②, ③, ④) are arranged as one film, as shown in FIG. It can be individually controlled by being connected to the 600 .

The control unit 600, when receiving a switching signal for applying a voltage to the PDLC film 200 from the switch unit 500, the PDLC film unit (①, ②, ③, ④ according to a preset animation pattern operation program) ) can individually control the power supply to the PDLC film units (①, ②, ③, ④) for a preset time in a turn-on and turn-off combination and sequence for each.

For example, when a switching signal is generated by the user, the control unit 600 applies voltage (or current) in the order of ①, ②, ③, and ④ PDLC film units, respectively, as shown in FIG. After producing an animation effect in which the PDLC film units (①, ②, ③, ④) are sequentially formed into mirrors, voltage (or current) is applied to the entire PDLC film units (①, ②, ③, ④) to form a mirror can do. Here, the time for applying voltage (or current) to each of the PDLC film units in the order of ①, ②, ③, and ④ is about 2-3 seconds, but it is not necessary to specifically limit the time for producing such an animation effect. not. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, a mirror can be formed by crossing the PDLC film units (①, ②, ③, ④) in a diagonal direction, and as shown in FIG. can be formed In the present embodiment, the animation pattern operation can be set in various ways, and a specific pattern operation is not limited.

The vibration sensor 700 may sense vibration of a preset pattern applied to the case body 100 . For example, in the case of the smart phone 10 , when a notification vibration for a call or a message is generated in the silent mode or the vibration mode, the vibration detection signal may be transmitted to the controller 600 by detecting it. In addition, the vibration sensor 700 may also detect vibration caused by hitting the case body 100 , and in this case, may also transmit a vibration detection signal to the controller 600 .

When vibration of a preset pattern is detected through the vibration detection sensor 700, the control unit 600 turns on and turns on each of the PDLC film units (①, ②, ③, ④) according to a preset animation pattern operation program. In the off combination and sequence, the power supply to the PDLC film units (①, ②, ③, ④) can be additionally individually controlled during the time the vibration detection sensor 700 detects vibration (that is, while receiving the vibration detection signal). can

For example, when a vibration detection signal is received from the vibration detection sensor 700, the controller 600 controls the voltage (or current) in the order of ①, ②, ③, and ④ PDLC film units as shown in FIG. 11 . ) to produce an animation effect in which the PDLC film units (①, ②, ③, ④) are sequentially formed into mirrors, and then voltage (or current) is applied to the entire PDLC film unit (①, ②, ③, ④). can be applied to form a mirror. Here, the time for each application of voltage (or current) in the order of ①, ②, ③, and ④ PDLC film units is during the time during which the vibration detection sensor 700 detects the vibration (that is, the vibration detection signal is received while) is preferred. In addition, as shown in FIG. 12, a mirror can be formed by crossing the PDLC film units (①, ②, ③, ④) in a diagonal direction, and as shown in FIG. can be formed In the present embodiment, the animation pattern operation can be set in various ways, and a specific pattern operation is not limited. Accordingly, when an alarm signal is output to a communication device such as the smart phone 10, it is possible to help the user to more easily recognize the corresponding alarm signal.

14 and 15 are diagrams illustrating a cosmetic mirror case device as another example among low-power driving and high responsive mirror case devices using PDLC according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the case body 100 according to the present embodiment is a case member for covering various things such as home appliances, cosmetics, school supplies, accessories, and furniture, as well as portable electronic devices. The shape may be changed little by little, and as shown in FIG. 14 , it may be manufactured as a case for cosmetics (foundation) among them. In addition, although not shown, the PDLC film 200 may produce mirrors of various colors as shown in FIG. 15 together with the reflective film.

What has been described above is only one embodiment for implementing the low-power driving and high-response mirror case device using the PDLC according to the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and is claimed in the claims below. As described above, without departing from the gist of the present invention, it will be said that the technical spirit of the present invention exists to the extent that various modifications can be made by anyone with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the invention pertains.

1000: Low-power drive and high-response mirror case device using PDLC
100: case body
110: sliding cover
200: PDLC film
300: reflective film
400: power unit
410: secondary battery module
420: charger
430: connector
500: switch unit
600: control unit
700: vibration detection sensor
10: Smartphone

Claims (7)

a case body for covering an object;
a PDLC film installed on at least one surface of the case body, in which a plurality of PDLC film units are arranged as one film;
a reflective film attached to a rear surface of the PDLC film;
a power supply unit for supplying power to the PDLC film;
a switch unit connected between the power supply unit and the PDLC film and performing an on/off operation for controlling voltage application to the PDLC film;
When receiving a switching signal for applying a voltage to the PDLC film from the switch unit, according to a preset animation pattern operation program, a combination of turn on and turn off for each of the PDLC film units and a sequence for a preset time in the PDLC a control unit for individually controlling power supply to the film unit; and
A vibration detection sensor for detecting vibration of a preset pattern applied to the case body,
The control unit is
When the vibration of a preset pattern is detected through the vibration detection sensor, the combination and sequence of turn on and turn off for each of the PDLC film units according to a preset animation pattern operation program, during the time during which the vibration detection sensor detects the vibration, Low-power driving and high-response mirror case device using PDLC, characterized in that the power supply to the PDLC film unit is additionally individually controlled.
According to claim 1,
The case body is
Low-power driving and high-response mirror case using PDLC, characterized in that it covers at least one of portable electronic devices, home appliances, cosmetics, school supplies, accessories, furniture, and IN DOOR (automatic order display inside a store) Device.
According to claim 1,
The power supply unit,
When the case body is manufactured to cover non-portable electronic devices and objects that do not use power, it includes a secondary battery module and a charger for supplying power to the secondary battery module from external power,
When the case body is manufactured to cover the portable electronic device, it further comprises a connector for connecting the secondary battery module and the charging terminal of the portable electronic device to supply power to the secondary battery module from the portable electronic device Low-power driving and high-response mirror case device using PDLC.
According to claim 1,
Low power driving and high responsiveness mirror case device using PDLC, characterized in that the reflective film is coated with a pigment of at least one color.
According to claim 1,
Low power driving and high responsiveness mirror case device using PDLC, characterized in that at least one color emitting material is added to the PDLC film.
According to claim 1,
The switch unit,
Low power driving and high responsiveness mirror case device using PDLC, characterized in that it includes at least one of a touch switch and a physical switch for on/off.
According to claim 1,
The switch unit,
Detects the proximity of an object within a preset distance and area, but receives a switching signal under the condition that the object is not detected within a preset time after detecting the proximity of the object. Low-power driving and high responsiveness mirror case device using PDLC, characterized in that it includes a proximity sensor switch to perform.

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