JPS61177429A - Liquid crystal spectacles - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To suppress the power consumption of liquid crystal spectacles, by using liquid crystal lenses which are set at the usually most used focal distance under a condition where the power supply is cut off or a condition very close to the condition. CONSTITUTION:Liquid crystals 11a and 11b are set at a focal distance at which an object at the usually most used distance can be observed clearly together with a convex lens 8 at the center and concave lens-like liquid crystal lenses 12a and 12b at both sides under a condition where no AC voltage is applied. When a condition which cannot be covered by a state where no voltage is applied, such as a case where a very close object is observed, and so forth, the AC voltage is applied by turning on a switch 17. Then molecules of the liquid crystals 11a and 11b rise in the vertical direction from the oriented condition in parallel with transparent plates 10a and 10b and refractive indexes of the liquid crystals 11a and 11b to abnormal lights become smaller. Therefore, the focal distance of the entire concave lens becomes longer and any object nearby can be observed clearly. When a very far object is to be observed, the power consumption can be reduced, because the time for observing the object is not usually long.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Technical field of invention] The present invention relates to liquid crystal glasses that can reduce power consumption.

[Technical Background of the Invention and Problems Therewith] In recent years, liquid crystal lenses whose focal length can be variably controlled by changing the applied voltage or the like without being mechanically moved have attracted attention.

As a conventional example of the above-mentioned liquid crystal lens, for example,
There is one disclosed in No. 339.

By the way, when the above-mentioned liquid crystal lens is used in eyeglasses, the battery that serves as the power source for changing the focal length is required to be small and light in order to avoid damaging the appearance as much as possible.

However, since glasses are generally used continuously for a very long time, the lifespan of small batteries is short as mentioned above.
There is the inconvenience that they often have to be replaced.

[Object of the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned points, and an object of the present invention is to provide liquid crystal glasses that consume less power and can be used continuously for a long time.

[Summary of the Invention] The present invention uses a liquid crystal lens set to a focal length state that uses a normal amount when the power is turned off or a state close to this, thereby reducing power consumption and allowing continuous use for long periods of time. However, we have created liquid crystal glasses that almost never require battery replacement.

[Embodiments of the invention] Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically explained with reference to the drawings.

1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows the structure of one lens part of the liquid crystal glasses of the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the first embodiment. show.

The liquid crystal eye M1 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is rotatably attached to the left lens part 2 and right lens part 3 having the structure shown in FIG. It is composed of temples 4 and 5, and a variable focal length control circuit section 6 (shown in FIG. 1) housed in the temples 4 and 5, for example.

For example, the left or right lens portion 2 has the structure shown in FIG.

A convex lens 8 formed of a glass plate or the like whose outer periphery is fixed to the frame 7, and spacers 9a, 9 at the periphery on both sides thereof.
Transparent plates 10a and 10b, which are attached with the transparent plates 10a and 10b interposed therebetween, form concave lens-like cells, and these biconcave lens-like cells have the same properties, for example, optically positive refractive index anisotropy. As shown, liquid crystal lenses 11a and 11b are sealed, and variable focal length liquid crystal lenses 12a and 12b are formed on both sides of the convex lens 8.

The liquid crystal lenses 12a, 12b are aligned so that when no voltage is applied, the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystals 11a, 11b in each cell are aligned parallel to the surfaces of the transparent plates 10a, 10b, In addition, the directors indicating the average orientation direction of liquid crystal molecules are orthogonal to each other in the liquid crystal lenses 12a and 12b. That is, the alignment direction of each liquid crystal molecule in each liquid crystal lens 12a, 12b, that is, each optical axis direction is the arrow direction A in FIG.
R
Treatments such as ubbing have been performed, and each orientation direction A.

B is perpendicular to the direction of incident light.

Transparent electrodes 13a and 13b are provided on both sides of the convex lens 8 by coating with 3N02, and each transparent plate 10a and 10 formed of a glass plate or the like facing the convex lens 8 is provided with transparent electrodes 13a and 13b.
Transparent electrodes 14a and 14b are also provided on the inner surface of b.

The two outer electrodes 14a and 14b are electrically connected to each other by a lead wire or the like and are connected to a ground terminal.

In addition, both inner electrodes 13a and 13b are also connected to each other, and these electrodes 13a and 13b are connected to a variable resistor (device) 1.
When the switch 17 is turned on, the DC voltage of the battery 18 is supplied to the DC/A C converter 16. That's how it is.

By the way, when the liquid crystal 118.11b forming the left and right lens sections 2.3 is not applied with AC voltage, that is, when the switch 17 is off as shown in FIG. shaped liquid crystal lens 12
a and 12b are usually set at focal lengths that allow clear observation of objects at distances that are most often used.

In this state, when the liquid crystal glasses 1 are worn and the naked eye is corrected, it becomes a concave lens for correcting myopia, which can substantially cover a distance from, for example, several tens of centimeters to a distance.

However, when observing objects at a very close distance, etc.
If the condition cannot be covered with the above AC voltage not applied,
In other words, if you want to see an area that cannot be seen clearly in this state, turn on the power switch 17 and apply an AC voltage to the liquid crystal 11a in the concave lens cell.
, 11b rise from the orientation parallel to the transparent plates 10a and 10b in the vertical direction, the refractive index for extraordinary light becomes smaller, and the focal length of the concave lens as a whole becomes longer, allowing for clear viewing of short distances. You will be able to do this.

Since the above-mentioned state of viewing an object at a very close distance is usually not used for a very long time, the power consumption can be significantly reduced compared to the state where the switch 17 is always on.

As shown in FIG. 1, each of the lens parts 2.3 has a structure in which liquid crystals 11a and 11b having the same characteristics are arranged so that the orientation directions of their molecules are orthogonal to each other and the orientation directions are orthogonal to the optical axis of the lens. By doing so, we have realized a variable focal length lens that does not require a polarizing plate.

That is, the incident light can be decomposed into two mutually orthogonal polarized components, for example, the orientation direction of the liquid crystal lens 12a in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1 and the orientation direction of the arrow B in the liquid crystal lens 12b. First, when a polarized light component parallel to the orientation direction of arrow A of the liquid crystal lens 12a, which is one component of the incident light, enters the liquid crystal lens 12a, this light beam component becomes an extraordinary light beam with respect to the liquid crystal lens 12a. Therefore, when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal lens 12a in this state, the liquid crystal molecules gradually change their orientation in a direction perpendicular to the electrode surface according to the voltage, so that the substantial refractive index of the liquid crystal lens 12a for the extraordinary ray component is It changes continuously from the value for extraordinary light to the value for ordinary light, and has the effect of varying the focal length.

This extraordinary light component for the liquid crystal lens 12a becomes an ordinary light component for the liquid crystal lens 12b, so its refractive index does not change and the focal length does not change. Therefore, continue straight ahead. On the other hand, the other incident light component, that is, the component corresponding to ordinary light with respect to the liquid crystal lens 12a is not affected by the applied voltage, but in the liquid crystal lens 12b, it becomes a component corresponding to extraordinary light, so the liquid crystal As in the case where extraordinary light enters the lens 12a (described above), its refractive index changes and the focal length can be varied. Since the same voltage is applied to the liquid crystal lens 12a and the liquid crystal lens 12b, they exert the same focal length variable effect on the incident light. Therefore, the liquid crystal 11a in the two variable focal length liquid crystal lenses 12a and 12b
, 11b so that their molecular orientation directions are perpendicular to each other, the lens can operate as a variable focal length lens for polarized light in any direction, regardless of the polarization direction of the incident light without using a polarizing plate. A lens with variable focal length can be realized. In other words, without using a polarizing plate, we have created a bright lens that is highly efficient in using natural light that is not linearly polarized.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention. In this second embodiment, the convex lens 8 in the lens section 2 of the first embodiment shown in FIG. A variable focal length liquid crystal lens 12 that functions as a convex lens
a=, 12b-, and these liquid crystal lenses 12a',
For example, concave transparent plates 22a and 22b are pasted along the peripheries of the outer surfaces of the transparent plates 10a and 10b on the picture body side of 12b' with spacers 21a and 21b interposed therebetween to form concave lens-shaped cells. Liquid crystals 23a, 2 with the same characteristics are provided in each cell.
3b and a pair of variable focal length liquid crystal lenses 2
4a and 24b constitute the left lens portion 2- (or right lens portion 3').

A transparent electrode 2 is provided on the outer surface of both the transparent plates 10a and 10b.
5a, 25b are coated, and concave transparent plates 22a, 2
The inner surface of 2b is also coated with transparent electrodes 26a and 26b.

Transparent electrodes 2 formed on the concave transparent plates 22a and 22b
6a, 26b are grounded, and transparent plates 10'a, 10b
The transparent electrodes 14a and 14b on the inner surface are also grounded. In addition, transparent electrodes i3a, , i on the outer surface of the concave lens 8'
, 3b are electrically connected to each other and connected to one contact 27A of the changeover switch 27. Moreover, both the transparent plates 10a
, 10b are also electrically connected to each other, and the other contact 2 of the changeover switch 27
Connected to 7B. This changeover switch 27 is connected to a DC/AC converter 16 via a variable resistor 15, and the DC/AC converter 16 is connected to a battery 18 via a power switch 17.

When the power switch 17 is turned on, a pair of liquid crystal lenses 12a- is connected to the switch 27 through the contact 27A (or 27B) on the side turned on.

12b-(or 24a, 24b) liquid crystal 11a.

AC voltage can be applied to 11b (or 23a, 23b) (composite same order).

The left lens 2' (or right lens section) having the above configuration covers a certain range of the object having a focal length that is normally used for a long time when the power switch 17 is off, and within this range. It is set so that it can be observed clearly. This left lens 2' (or right lens portion) is designed to function as a convex lens as a whole in the case of spectacles for farsightedness, and as a concave lens as a whole in the case of glasses for nearsightedness, for example.

Therefore, when observing a farther distance that cannot be covered by the above range (for example, for nearsightedness), an AC
By applying a voltage, the function of each liquid crystal lens 12a-, 12b- as a convex lens is reduced (increasing its focal length), and the function of the left lens portion 2' as a whole as a concave lens is further increased (short focal length). By setting the camera to a distance state, distant objects can be clearly observed.

In addition, when viewing an object at a short distance that cannot be covered by applying no AC voltage, the changeover switch 27 is set to contact 27B.
is turned on, and AC is applied to the concave liquid crystal lenses 24a and 24b.
By applying 1t pressure, their focal lengths can be increased, and the focal length of the concave lens as a whole can be increased to enable clear observation of objects at short distances.

According to this second embodiment, in the case of a person whose diopter adjustment function has deteriorated, the range that can be clearly observed with a fixed focus becomes narrower, so by switching the switch 27 on both sides, a wider range can be clearly observed. .

In addition, if the changeover switch 27 cannot cover the entire area, the variable resistor 15 can be rotated or slid to change the applied voltage in the same manner as in the first embodiment, so that the setting can be made for clear observation. can.

In addition, according to the second embodiment, in order to clearly see the far and near sides from a certain observation range in the case of the conventional example, the median value of the distance range that can be observed when varied is set in advance. ) It is not necessary to apply a bias voltage.

Therefore, power consumption can be reduced.

Furthermore, ACI! The means for varying the focal length by pressure is not limited to one that allows continuous variation with the variable resistor 15, but also uses semi-fixed resistors 318, 31b, etc. as shown in FIG. It may also be something that divides the pressure. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the circuit elements (such as resistors) that define the oscillation frequency of the DC/AC converter 16 are selectively switched by a switch 33 to make the oscillation frequency variable, and the frequency of this AC voltage is changed. It is also possible to control changes in the refractive index or focal length of the liquid crystal by applying different values.

The structure of the liquid crystal glasses of the present invention is not limited to that shown in the drawings, and may be similarly applied to various modifications, such as those in which the transparent plate is made into a convex or concave lens.

Further, it is also possible to attach a photovoltaic force generating means such as a solar cell to a part other than the lens part, and charge the battery 18 with the electromotive force. In this case, the battery 1 is not limited to direct charging via a backflow prevention means such as a diode, but if the electromotive force is low, a DC/DC converter is activated to boost the voltage and charge the battery 1.
8 can also be charged.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the power consumption can be significantly reduced because the setting is such that objects at distances that are commonly used can be clearly observed when the power is off. . Therefore, the hassle of replacing batteries can be reduced, and
Maintenance costs can also be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 and 2 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing one lens portion in the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the first embodiment. , FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a focal length variable means in a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 shows another focal length variable means. This is the circuit section. 1... Liquid crystal glasses 2.3... Lens section 4.5... Temple 6... Control circuit section 8... Convex lens 10a,
10b-...Transparent plate 118.11b-...Liquid crystal 12a, 12b...Liquid crystal lens 15...Variable resistor 16...DC/AC converter 17...Switch 18...Battery 23a, 2
3b-...Liquid crystal 24a, 24b...Liquid crystal lens agent Patent attorney Susumu Ito Figure 1, Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] In liquid crystal glasses that use liquid crystal lenses whose focal length can be varied by changing the voltage applied to the liquid crystal sealed in a cell, the power is turned off when the object is at a distance where the liquid crystal lens is viewed most of the time. Liquid crystal glasses characterized by a focal length that allows for clear observation.