| 摘要 |
<p>A liquid crystal lens assembly (8) that can be used to replace existing color lenses in traffic signals without the need for any special modifications to the traffic signal. The lens assembly (8) utilizes a dichroic liquid crystal mixture (17) that absorbs light when no electric field is applied to the mixture (17). When an electric field is applied across the liquid crystal mixture (17) by two electrodes (21, 25), the molecules change their orientation within the mixture (17) and absorb less light, and the signal appears 'on'. The illumination of the bulb (6) behind the lens assembly (8) is visible to the user. The electric field is energized at the same time that the bulb (6) for the traffic signal is illuminated. A colored transflector (16) positioned in the rearward portion of the lens assembly (8) provides the color for the signal and also acts to reflect light from the front of the lens assembly (8). Wires for applying the electric field to the electrodes (21, 25) connect directly to the terminal block (4) for the traffic signal. A heater (18) may be used to maintain the liquid crystal mixture at a minimum threshold temperature.</p> |
