Visual comfort and light transmission control using window with polymer dispersed liquid crystal layer in the textile industry to ensure occupational safety

Adequate workplace lighting is crucial for employee well-being, productivity and energy efficiency.Yet many industrial settings, such as textile factories, have inadequate, non-adaptive lighting.In the presented article, the author focused on the problem of inadequate lighting conditions in the workplace.Driven by the need for ergonomic workspaces and sustainable energy practices, this research used advanced materials PDLC science to address these challenges.It proposed a solution in the form of an automatic system for regulating the lighting intensity by automatic regulation of light transmittance through window including a PDLC film.Such an active window system is called Smart Window.The control of light transmittance into the knitting factory hall is performed by (control of the voltage of the active film layer) which is an integral part of the entire window surface.A smart window will reduce the overall transmission of solar energy, which will help avoid overheating.Total solar factor is the percentage of solar energy that actually penetrates a room through blinds and windows.Smart Window will also provide visual comfort by optimizing the amount of light reaching the surface near the window and avoiding glare as well as the inconvenience caused by direct sunlight.Visible light transmittance determines the total percentage of daylight that is transmitted into the room through the window with a wavelength from 380 to 780 nm (visible spectrum).The main results demonstrate a strong correlation between the applied voltage and the light transmittance of the film, enabling precise control over the visible light transmittance (VLT).The implemented control model successfully maintained optimal illuminance levels, reducing glare and preventing solar overheating by dynamically adjusting the window opacity.From a methodological point of view, one of the most important issues in designing a lighting intensity control system is choosing the type of sensor and its location in the production hall.This can significantly affect control efficiency.This topic is discussed in this article, which briefly covers good industrial design practices.This approach to lighting requirements is supported by legal requirements, as well as an ergonomic approach to the design of workplaces.The control system was made as a PID controller in the mode of controlling the entire surface of the electrochromic film (control of the light transmittance of the film).This key contributions of this work are the development of a validated PDLC control model for lighting applications, and demonstrating its dual benefit of ensuring visual comfort in accordance with ergonomic and legal standards while promoting energy savings.Implementing lighting control systems in textile factories is a strategic step towards digital transformation and sustainability which is in line with the Responsible Consumption and Production strategy.