Smart window for car application can be applied to the component which requires optical modulation effect as wall as glass front passenger seat, sunroof, sun visors. Smart window has energy saving effect due to the fact that the function of smart window is complemented through an active control of solar permeability and it can be compatible with solar cell, hence smart window is expected to be an important role in leading renewable energy industry and futuristic eco-friendly car market in the long business term. Advanced car manufacturers have continuously developed smart window for car application and have already applied it into few models. Korean car manufacturers also have supplied car which is fitted smart window from 2012.
According to the report 'smart window market 2010' , because of the advent of advanced technologies that can solve the problems caused by Smart Window System and the growth of auto market led by BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China), related industries are expected to grow rapidly and to create sales in excess of $ 6 billion in 2017.
Smart window can be applied in various parts for vehicles and can be classified by driving system.
- Head Up Display(HUD) : The system which improves the safety and performance by marking driving information or surrounding situation onto the windshields of cars to provide drivers information required for driving without interruption of driver's visibility.
GM : Applied Head-up display technology for the first time all over the
world. Prevent possible accidents by installing night vision devices
which identify the object in the car.
Toyota : Freely controls the location and brightness of the image seen
in the front glass.
PSA : Installed device which projects driving information including the
speed of vehicle and navigation on the front glass.
KIA motors in Korea : Loaded HUD device into the model K9 in 2012.
2. EC : While EC has an advantage in durability compared to different way,
its response speed is slow and manufacturing cost is high, hence the use
of EC is limited to rear-view mirror for antiglare purpose. The percentage
of vehicle retrofitted electrochromic mirror currently accounts for less
than 20%, however since the driver's stability and convenience has
emerged as the main subjects of interest, more than 45% of vehicle
equipped with the electrochromic mirror is expected to be supplied.
GENTEX in America : Developed rear mirror which can control the
brightness for the outside and inside automatically.
SAINT-GOBAIN in France : Commercialization of active control window
for sun roof.
3. Suspended Particle Device(SPD) : It can save energy which is generated by
heating and cooling by UV protection and
near-infrared reflection as wall as visible
light transmission rate adjustment. It also
can protect driver's skin and vision.
BMW : launched a model which is equipped with a panorama loop that can
control the extent of the penetration light, depending on the flow
of the electric current in Paris Motor Show in 2012.
4. Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) : PDLC has not been applied yet for
car components, but its interest in related
technology has increased in a steady way
as energy efficiency and privacy protection
function is required over the world.
LEXGEN in Taiwan : Launched a model which and freely adjust the level of light
penetration, applying PDLC technology into panoramic
sunroof in Shanghai Motor Show in 2011.
Smart window technology which had been developed mainly for display and semiconductor field is taking the step for testing commercialization possibility to enlarge its business market into the car industry. On top of that, smart window technology is being highlighted as future technology because of energy saving and high performance features towards construction and transportation field as well. Since energy efficient use, interior privacy protection and maintenance of pleasant environment emerge as a matter of concern nowadays, it is expected that smart window technology will be an integral part of intelligent car in the near future.
※The above contents are the summary of the report 'The application of the
smart window development trends and liquid crystal materials for vehicles.
※ Vitswell smartwindow
