World’s first automotive light control side window glass
Toppan in Japan has developed the world’s first light control side window glass for Toyota.
Toppan developed LC MAGIC, a light control film that changes from transparent to opaque at the flick of a switch, in 2016 and has now combined with glass from AGC for Toyota’s Century model luxury car announced last week. The LC film provides a haze of 3% when transparent and 99% when opaque.
- Ultra-thin LCDs operate and flex to 3mm bending radius
- Eco-friendly NFC tag with paper-based antenna substrate
- Toppan creates separate semiconductor photomask business
Changes in weather and temperature and the repeated opening and closing of doors and windows mean light control films for use in vehicles require a higher level of durability than those used in the interior spaces of buildings. However, it has been difficult to minimize the width of the outer seal that protects the liquid crystals inside the light control film in order to make full use of the large opening that is characteristic of side windows.
Toppan reexamined liquid crystals and electrodes and refined the technology for the outer seal, optimizing sealant material coating conditions, such as thickness, width, and coating automation to develop a light control film that delivers performance optimized for the side windows of vehicles.
Using the automated sealing equipment at Toppan’s Shiga Plant, it has become possible to swiftly minimize seal width and thickness. Protecting the edges with the outer seal prevents damage in the form of liquid crystals becoming transparent due to external moisture or the components of the glass’s intermediate layer. Toppan has ensured the high level of reliability required for vehicle use and established a sealing technology that enables the large opening of side windows to be maintained.
Toppan is aiming for LC MAGIC™ to be adopted by multiple automakers and intends to further enhance the product, as well as the “Normal Black” grade for automobiles announced in December 2022, and to advance mass production technology.
If you enjoyed this article, you will like the following ones: don't miss them by subscribing to :
