WO2023003096A1 - Composition for variable focus lens, variable focus lens comprising same, and method for manufacturing same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a composition for a variable focus lens, a variable focus lens comprising same, and a method for manufacturing same. A composition for a variable focus lens according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a light-transmitting polymer resin; poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate) [P(VC-VA)]; and a plasticizer.

Description

Composition for variable focus lens, variable focus lens comprising the same and manufacturing method thereof

The present invention relates to a composition for a variable focus lens, a variable focus lens including the same, and a manufacturing method thereof.

A variable focus lens refers to a lens capable of changing its focal length by changing its external appearance or internal structure by a current, voltage, electric field, or magnetic field provided from the outside. Such a variable focus lens may be in a liquid or gel state, and can be operated with less power than conventional lenses, and can be miniaturized due to a small space required for changing the focus.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2018-0114382, which is a prior art document, discloses a variable focus lens capable of independently controlling the focal length of both sides by applying a light-transmitting polymer resin and a plasticizer.

An object of the present invention is to provide a composition for a variable focus lens capable of improving the ductility of the variable focus lens, a variable focus lens including the composition, and a manufacturing method thereof.

Also, focus shift is possible in a weak electric field.

Also, it is excellent in durability.

A composition for a variable focus lens according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a light-transmitting polymer resin; P(VC-VA) [poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate)]; And a plasticizer; includes.

The P(VC-VA) may have the following molecular formula 1.

[Molecular formula 1]

A method for manufacturing a variable focus lens according to an embodiment of the present invention includes preparing a mixed solution by dissolving a mixture of a light-transmitting polymer resin, P(VC-VA), and a plasticizer in a solvent; and removing the solvent of the mixed solution.

The weight ratio of the light-transmissive polymer resin and P(VC-VA) introduced in the step of preparing the mixed solution may be 1:0.9 to 1:1.1.

The content of the DAG introduced in the step of preparing the mixed solution may be 1:1 to 1:11 with respect to the total weight of the light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA).

A variable focus lens including the composition for a variable focus lens according to an embodiment of the present invention and a variable focus lens manufactured by the method for manufacturing the same may have higher ductility.

Also, focus shift is possible in a weak electric field.

Also, it is excellent in durability.

FIG. 1(a) shows a variable focus lens according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1(b) is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 1(a).

FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the variable focus lens of FIG. 1, illustrating deformation of a lens unit according to supply of power.

3 shows the XRD analysis results.

4 shows the light transmittance analysis result.

5(a) is a graph measuring the relative permittivity of DBA and Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 5(b) is a graph measuring the relative permittivity of Examples 1 to 5.

Figure 6 (a) is a graph measuring the impedance of DBA and Comparative Example 1, Figure 6 (b) is a graph measuring the impedance of Examples 1 to 5.

7 shows the results of a stress-strain experiment.

8 shows leakage current test results.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the embodiments of the present invention may be modified in various forms, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention are provided to more completely explain the present invention to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the shape and size of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clearer description, and elements indicated by the same reference numerals in the drawings are the same elements. In addition, the same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings for parts having similar functions and actions. In addition, "include" a component in the entire specification means that other components may be further included without excluding other components unless otherwise stated.

Composition for varifocal lenses

A composition for a variable focus lens according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a light-transmitting polymer resin; P(VC-VA) [poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate)]; And a plasticizer; includes. The composition may be provided as a powder or a liquid dissolved in a solvent.

P(VC-VA) [poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate)] is a polymeric material formed by interconnecting chains of vinyl chloride and vinyl acetate. When the P(VC-VA) is added to the light-transmitting polymer resin, the dipole-dipole interaction of the chain of the light-transmitting polymer resin is reduced, so that the ductility of the manufactured material can be increased. In this case, even if a plasticizer is added to the mixture of the light-transmissive polymer resin and P(VC-VA), sufficient ductility can be secured. The P(VC-VA) may be represented by the following molecular formula 1. The molecular weight of the P(VC-VA) may be 100,000 or more in consideration of ductility.

[Molecular formula 1]

(where x and y are arbitrary numbers).

In addition, the P(VC-VA) may be represented by Formula 1 below.

[Formula 1]

[-CH ₂ CH(Cl)-] _x [-CH ₂ CH(O ₂ CCH ₃ )-] _y

(where x and y are arbitrary numbers).

The light-transmissive polymer resin is a polymer material having transparency and flexibility, and functions to maintain the shape of a lens and refract an incident wavelength. The light-transmitting polymer resin may be at least one of PVC (Poly vinyl chloride), PC (PolyCarbonate), PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate), and TAC (TriAcetate Cellulose), and preferably may be PVC that is transparent and easy to process. The light-transmitting polymer resin may have a molecular weight of 150,000 or more in consideration of ductility and the like.

PVC can be represented by the molecular formula 2 below.

[Molecular Formula 2]

(Where n is a natural number.)

The plasticizer performs a function of curing the light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA) and converting them into a gel phase. Through this, the plasticizer may lower leakage current. The plasticizer is not particularly limited, but may be DBA (Dibutyl Adipate).

The DBA may be represented by molecular formula 3 below.

[Molecular formula 3]

The light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA) may have a weight ratio of 1:0.9 to 1:1.1. In order to secure excellent ductility by the interaction between the light-transmitting polymer resin and P (VC-VA), the content of the light-transmitting polymer resin and P (VC-VA) is preferably 1:0.9 to 1:1.1, , more preferably 1:1.

The amount of the plasticizer added in the step of preparing the mixed solution may be 1:1 to 1:11, more preferably 1:1, based on the total weight of the light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA). to 1:3. If the plasticizer content is too low, the effect of adding the plasticizer may not appear, and if the plasticizer content is too high, deformation does not occur easily, so a lot of power is consumed for deformation or there is a risk of damage.

varifocal lens

The variable focus lens 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes the composition for a variable focus lens described above. Referring to FIG. 1 , the variable focus lens 100 includes a lens unit 110 made of a composition for a variable focus lens, an upper substrate 120 disposed above and below the lens unit 110, and a lower portion. A substrate 130 may be included. The upper substrate 120 and the lower substrate 130 may include a hollow in which the curved surface of the lens unit 110 is disposed, and may include an electrode contacting the lens unit 110 to allow current to flow. FIG. 2 is a cross-section of the variable focus lens of FIG. 1, illustrating deformation of a lens unit according to supply of power. FIG. 2(a) shows a case where current is not applied, FIG. 2(b) shows a case where current is applied through an electrode of a lower substrate, and FIG. 2(c) shows a case where current is applied through an electrode of an upper substrate 2(d) is a case where current is applied through the electrodes of the upper substrate and the lower substrate. As such, the variable focus lens according to an embodiment of the present invention can control the shape of both sides according to the current application method.

Manufacturing method of varifocal lens

A method for manufacturing a variable focus lens according to an embodiment of the present invention includes preparing a mixed solution by dissolving a mixture of a light-transmitting polymer resin, P(VC-VA), and a plasticizer in a solvent; and removing the solvent of the mixed solution.

In the step of preparing the mixed solution, the solvent may be a polar organic solvent. This is to easily dissolve the light-transmissive polymer resin and P(VC-VA). The polar organic solvent may be any one of dioxane, tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF) and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP). .

The light-transmitting polymer resin, P(VC-VA), and the plasticizer have been previously described in the composition of the variable focus lens. The weight ratio of the light-transmissive polymer resin and P(VC-VA) introduced in the step of preparing the mixed solution may be 1:0.9 to 1:1.1. In addition, the content of the plasticizer added in the step of preparing the mixed solution may be 1:1 to 1:11 with respect to the total weight of the light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA).

Preparing the mixed solution includes preparing a solvent, preparing a light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA), mixing and dissolving the light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA) in the solvent, and a plasticizer It may include the step of mixing.

Preparing the light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA) may include purifying the light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA). Through this, the light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA) can be completely dissolved and dispersed in a solvent, and through this, the bonding structure between the light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA) can be improved to further increase ductility. there is. The purifying step may include dissolving the light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA) in a polar solvent, precipitating the dissolved light-transmitting polymer resin and P(VC-VA) in an organic solvent, and drying the light-transmitting polymer. obtaining resin and P(VC-VA) powder.

Mixing the plasticizer may include stirring the mixed solution in a stirrer. This step may be performed under appropriate conditions so that the light-transmissive polymer resin, P(VC-VA) and the plasticizer are dissolved in a solvent, and may be performed at room temperature.

The step of removing the solvent from the mixed solution may include drying at room temperature and treating in a vacuum oven. The drying at room temperature may be performed for 2 to 5 days, and then the solvent-reduced mixed solution may be put into a vacuum oven and treated at room temperature for 12 to 48 hours to remove the remaining solvent.

After preparing the mixed solution, a step of injecting the mixed solution into a lens mold may be further included. This step is a step of controlling the thickness and shape of the lens unit. This step may be performed during the step of removing the solvent of the mixed solution. After the solvent of the mixed solution is removed to some extent and the mixed solution has an appropriate viscosity, it may be put into a lens mold and the remaining solvent may be completely removed. Through this, the shape of the lens unit can be more easily controlled, and the surface state can be more excellently manufactured.

Next, an upper substrate and a lower substrate may be disposed on the upper and lower portions of the lens unit, respectively. The upper substrate and the lower substrate are the same as those described above.

Example: Manufacture of variable focus lens

THF (Sigma-Aldrich, 99.9%, CAS: 109-99-9) was prepared as a solvent, PVC powder (Scientific Polymer Products, Inc., Mw 275,000, CAS: 9002-86-2) and P (VC-VA ) powder (Scientific Polymer Products, Mw 115,000, CAS: 9003-22-9) was prepared. To purify PVC powder and P(VC-VA) powder, 1 g each was dissolved in 20 ml of THF solvent and then precipitated in methanol. Next, by drying and refining, purified PVC powder and P (VC-VA) powder were obtained. The prepared PVC powder and 1 g of P(VC-VA) powder were mixed and completely dissolved in 10 ml of a THF solvent. Next, DBA (Sigma-Aldrich, CAS: 105-99-7) was prepared as a plasticizer, 9 g was mixed with the above solution, and stirred for 4 hours at 400 rpm with a stirrer. Next, the mixed solution was poured into a glass dish and stored at room temperature for 3 days to remove the solvent. The gelled mixed solution was put into a vacuum oven and treated for 24 hours to remove the solvent, thereby preparing a lens part of a variable focus lens. Next, a variable focus lens was manufactured by disposing an upper substrate and a lower substrate on the upper and lower portions of the lens unit, respectively.

In the above preparation examples, comparative examples and examples were classified as shown in Table 1 according to the contents of PVC, P (VC-VA) and DBA.

Classification	PVC content (g)	P(VC-VA) content (g)	DBA content (g)	mark
Comparison example 1	0.5	0.5	0	SPNIPGel0
Example 1	0.5	0.5	3	SPNIPGel3
Example 2	0.5	0.5	5	SPNIPGel5
Example 3	0.5	0.5	7	SPNIPGel7
Example 4	0.5	0.5	9	SPNIPGel9
Example 5	0.5	0.5	11	SPNIPGel11

XRD Analysis Using the lens parts of Examples 1 to 5 as samples, XRD analysis was performed at 40 kV and 30 mA using an X-ray diffractometer (Empyrean, PANalytical). 3 shows the XRD analysis results. Referring to FIG. 3 , it can be seen that peaks indicating that the lens unit has an amorphous structure appear at 7 and 20 degrees. At this time, the higher the content of DBA, the thinner and clearer the peak. Through this analysis, it can be seen that the examples have microcrystals connected by amorphous polymer chains.

Light transmittance analysis

Using the lens parts of Examples 1 to 5 as samples, this was performed using a UV-vis spectrophotometer (HP 8452, HP, USA). 4 shows the light transmittance analysis result. Referring to FIG. 4 , light transmittance in the visible ray region was shown in all examples. It can be understood that DBA was completely mixed in the amorphous region of PVC and effectively prevented crystallization of the PVC polymer chain by the plasticizing effect, resulting in microcrystalization.

Relative permittivity analysis

The relative permittivity was measured in the frequency range of 1 Hz to 1 MHz with a signal amplitude of 2 V at room temperature. 5(a) is a graph measuring the relative permittivity of DBA and Comparative Example 1, and FIG. 5(b) is a graph measuring the relative permittivity of Examples 1 to 5. Referring to FIG. 5, in the case of Comparative Example 1, there was no change in the entire frequency range and a relatively low value was maintained. In the case of Examples 1 to 5, it can be seen that the permittivity greatly increased in the low frequency range. Also, in the examples, it can be seen that the higher the content of DBA, the higher the dielectric constant in the low frequency range.

impedance analysis

Impedance analysis was performed using a 1260 impedance analyzer (Solartron Analytical Co., Farnborough, UK). Figure 6 (a) is a graph measuring the impedance of DBA and Comparative Example 1, Figure 6 (b) is a graph measuring the impedance of Examples 1 to 5. Referring to FIG. 6 , it can be seen that impedance is reduced in a low frequency region due to the addition of DBA in Examples 1 to 5.

Stress-Strain experiment

Stress-Strain experiments were performed to analyze the degree of deformation due to external influences. Examples 1 to 5 were prepared as dumbbell-shaped specimens and performed according to the ASTM D638 test method using a general-purpose tester (Tinius Olsen, H5KT). 7 shows the results of a stress-strain experiment. Referring to FIG. 7, Examples 1 and 2 showed a very high degree of deformation, Examples 3 and 4 showed a low degree of deformation, and Example 5 showed a tearing phenomenon even under low stress conditions.

Leakage current experiment

Leakage current experiments were measured using a potentiostat / galvanostat (Biologic Science Instruments, SP300) in an applied electric field of 400 V / mm at room temperature. 8 shows leakage current test results. Referring to FIG. 8 , it can be seen that Examples 1 and 2 show a lower leakage current than Examples 3 to 5.

The present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiments and accompanying drawings, but is intended to be limited by the appended claims. Therefore, various forms of substitution, modification, and change will be possible by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical spirit of the present invention described in the claims, which also falls within the scope of the present invention. something to do.

[Description of code]

100: variable focus lens, 110: lens unit, 120: upper substrate, 130: lower substrate

Claims (13)

1. light-transmitting polymer resin;

   P(VC-VA) [poly(vinyl chloride-co-vinyl acetate)]; and

   Including; plasticizer;

   A composition for varifocal lenses.
2. According to claim 1,

   The P (VC-VA) has the following molecular formula 1,

   Composition for varifocal lenses:

   [Molecular Formula 1]

   

   .
3. According to claim 1,

   The weight ratio of the light-transmissive polymer resin and P (VC-VA) is 1: 0.9 to 1: 1.1,

   A composition for varifocal lenses.
4. According to claim 1,

   The light-transmissive polymer resin is at least one of PVC (Poly vinyl chloride), PC (PolyCarbonate), PET (PolyEthylene Terephthalate) and TAC (TriAcetate Cellulose),

   A composition for varifocal lenses.
5. According to claim 1,

   The plasticizer is DBA (Dibutyl Adipate),

   A composition for varifocal lenses.
6. A variable focus lens comprising a composition for a variable focus lens,

   The composition for the variable focus lens of claim 1,

   varifocal lens.
7. preparing a mixed solution by dissolving a mixture of a light-transmitting polymer resin, P(VC-VA), and a plasticizer in a solvent; and

   Including, removing the solvent of the mixed solution;

   Manufacturing method of varifocal lens.
8. According to claim 7,

   The weight ratio of the light-transmissive polymer resin and P (VC-VA) introduced in the step of preparing the mixed solution is 1: 0.9 to 1: 1.1,

   Manufacturing method of varifocal lens.
9. According to claim 7,

   The content of the DAG added in the step of preparing the mixed solution is 1: 1 to 1: 11 with respect to the total weight of the light-transmitting polymer resin and P (VC-VA),

   Manufacturing method of varifocal lens.
10. According to claim 7,

    In the step of preparing the mixed solution,

    After mixing and dissolving the light-transmitting polymer resin and P (VC-VA) in the solvent, the plasticizer is added,

    Manufacturing method of varifocal lens.
11. According to claim 7,

    In the step of preparing the mixed solution,

    The solvent is a polar organic solvent,

    Manufacturing method of varifocal lens.
12. According to claim 11,

    The polar organic solvent is any one of dioxane, tetrahydrofuran (THF), acetone, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethylformamide (DMF) and 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP),

    Manufacturing method of varifocal lens.
13. According to claim 7,

    After preparing the mixed solution,

    Further comprising the step of injecting the mixed solution into a lens mold,

    Manufacturing method of varifocal lens.

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