Window unit for building or structure

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a window unit for a building or structure. The window unit includes a first panel having a region through which at least a portion of visible light is transmitted. The first panel has opposing major surfaces. The window unit also includes a second panel having a region that transmits at least a portion of the visible light. The window unit also includes a spacer separating the first panel from the second panel. At least one electrical or electronic component is located within the spacer and is electrically coupled indirectly or directly to at least one electronic component located within the window unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a window unit for a building or structure, and in particular to a window unit containing electronic and / or electrical components (eg, solar cells). Background Art

[0002] Buildings such as office buildings, high-rise residential buildings and hotels use a large number of exterior window panels and / or facades that incorporate glass panels.

[0003] These glass panels receive a lot of sunlight, which heats up the interior spaces and requires the use of air conditioning, which consumes a lot of energy worldwide.

[0004] PCT International Application Nos. PCT / AU2012 / 000778, PCT / AU2012 / 000787 and PCT / AU2014 / 000814 (owned by the present applicant) disclose a spectrally selective panel which may be used as a window glass, being transmissive to visible light but having solar cells which absorb light (eg infrared radiation) to generate electricity.

[0005] The present invention provides further improvements. Summary of the invention

[0006] A first aspect of the present invention provides a window unit for a building or structure, the window unit comprising:

[0007] a first panel having a region that transmits at least a portion of visible light, the first panel having opposing major surfaces;

[0008] a second panel having a region that transmits at least a portion of visible light, the second panel having opposing major surfaces;

[0009] a spacer that separates the first panel from the second panel; and

[0010] At least one electrical or electronic component is located within the spacer and is electrically coupled, either directly or indirectly, to at least one electrical component located within the window unit.

[0011] The window unit may include at least one electrical component. The at least one electrical component may be located in a space between the first panel and the second panel.

[0012] At least one electrical component may comprise a film or coating applied to a surface of the window unit.

[0013] In one embodiment, the at least one electrical component is provided in the form of at least one group of solar cells located along at least one edge of the first panel and facing a surface of the first panel.

[0014] The window unit may also include a frame having corner elements and side elements, each corner element being mechanically coupled to two side elements.

[0015] The spacer can be part of a spacer structure that can surround the interior space between the first panel and the second panel and can include a corner spacer portion and an elongated side spacer portion. At least one electrical or electronic component can be positioned within the corner spacer portion. The spacer structure can form a primary seal of the window unit together with the buttress layer.

[0016] The window unit may include a first electrical coupler, and at least one electrical or electronic component may be electrically coupled indirectly or directly between at least one group of solar cells or another electrical component and the first electrical coupler. The spacer may include a first electrical coupler, such as an electrical lead (which may be sealed), a capacitive coupling, a plug, a lug or a socket, etc. In addition, the frame may also include an electrical coupler, which may be coupled to the first electrical coupler of the spacer. The first electrical coupler of the spacer or the electrical coupler in the frame may include a wireless connection, such as a WIFI or Bluetooth connection, etc.

[0017] The at least one electrical or electronic element positioned within the spacer may include or may be provided in the form of an electrical conductor and may or may not include other electrical or electronic components such as a diode and a battery or capacitor for storing electricity generated by the at least one solar cell array. The at least one electrical or electronic element may also include electronic components such as a battery charge controller, a voltage regulator, and another controller for controlling the functions of the window unit.

[0018] The window unit may also include at least one of a suspended particle device, an electrochromic coating, an electrofluidic material, a liquid crystal device, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material, and an electrophoretic material, and at least one electrical or electronic component located within the spacer may be coupled to at least one of the suspended particle device, the electrochromic coating, the electrofluidic material, the liquid crystal device, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material, and an electrophoretic material.

[0019] The first panel and the second panel can be combined together in such a way that an air gap between at least one group of solar cells with a spacer and the first panel and the second panel is avoided, and the solar cell with a spacer is sandwiched between the first panel and the second panel. The first panel and the second panel can be combined together to form a stacked structure. An adhesive can be used for bonding. In one embodiment, the refractive index of the adhesive is at least close to the refractive index of the material of the first component panel portion and / or the second component panel portion, which material can be, for example, glass or a suitable polymer material.

[0020] In a first specific embodiment, the window unit includes at least one group of solar cells positioned along an edge portion of a first panel. The spacer may be positioned directly at the edge of the first panel and within the plane of the at least one group of solar cells. The first panel and the second panel sandwiching the at least one group of solar cells and the spacer may be bonded using polyvinyl butyral (PVB). The at least one group of solar cells and the spacer may be sandwiched between PVB sheets. In this embodiment, bonding may be performed as follows. Initially, a PVB sheet may be placed between the first panel with the spacer and the at least one group of solar cells. By heating the PVB material sheet, bonding of the at least one group of solar cells and the spacer to the first panel may be achieved. Additional PVB material sheets may be placed on at least one group of solar cells and the spacer. More (thicker) PVB sheets may be placed on the area of ​​the first panel where no solar cells and spacers are placed. Then, the second panel may be placed on the exposed surface of one (or more) PVB sheets and bonded to the exposed surface of the PVB sheet again by further heating, so that a laminated structure is formed and the solar cells with the spacers are sandwiched between the first panel and the second panel.

[0021] In an alternative second specific embodiment, a spacer separates the first panel and the second panel from each other, and at least one other electrical component may be located between the first panel and the second panel. The spacer may separate the first panel and the second panel from each other so that a gas-filled gap is formed between the first panel and the second panel. In this case, an adhesive such as butyl may be used to adhere the spacer between the first panel and the second panel.

[0022] The first panel may also include component panel portions laminated to each other using PVB, as described above in the context of the first specific embodiment of the present invention. In addition, the window unit may include at least one set of solar cells sandwiched between the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion, as described above, which is the context of the first specific embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] The first component panel portion may include a first major surface parallel to the first major surface of the second component panel portion, and the area of ​​the first major surface of the second panel may be smaller than the area of ​​the first major surface of the first component panel portion, whereby the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion are arranged such that a projection of the first component panel portion along a surface normal extends beyond the perimeter of the second component panel portion.

[0024] In one embodiment, the window unit is a self-powered unit that does not necessarily require external wiring. In this embodiment, the spacer may or may not include an electrical coupler accessible from outside the window unit. In this embodiment, the window unit may, for example, include blinds powered by electricity generated by at least one set of solar cells.

[0025] At least one group of solar cells may include bifacial solar cells having opposing first and second surfaces, each surface having an area capable of absorbing light to generate electricity, the solar cells being positioned such that, in use, the first surface is oriented to receive light from a direction from which the light is incident and the second surface receives light from an opposite direction. The solar cells of the at least one group of solar cells may be positioned in an overlapping relationship, such as in a tile-like arrangement.

[0026] The first panel may also include diffractive elements and / or luminescent materials to redirect or deflect incident infrared light to the edge of the first panel. The redirection or deflection of infrared radiation by luminescent materials or diffractive elements has the advantage that the transmission of infrared radiation to the building can be reduced, thereby reducing overheating of spaces within the building and reducing air conditioning costs.

[0027] The at least one group of solar cells may be a first group of solar cells having a source surface oriented substantially parallel to a major surface of the first panel. The first panel may have a plurality of edges, and the window unit may include at least one second group of solar cells positioned along an edge surface of the window unit, each solar cell in the second group of solar cells facing the edge surface and oriented substantially perpendicular to the first group of solar cells to receive light directed to the edge of the first panel by the luminescent material or diffractive element of the first panel.

[0028] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a window unit for a building or structure, the window unit comprising:

[0029] A first panel having an area that transmits at least a portion of visible light and includes a first component panel portion and a second component panel portion, the first component panel portion having a first major surface parallel to the first major surface of the second component panel portion, the area of ​​the first major surface of the second panel being smaller than the area of ​​the first major surface of the first component panel portion, whereby the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion are arranged such that a projection of the first major surface of the first component panel along a surface normal extends beyond a perimeter of the second component panel portion.

[0030] The window unit may also include at least one set of solar cells located between the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion and oriented along an edge of the first component panel portion.

[0031] The window unit may also include a second panel having an area that transmits at least a portion of visible light, and a spacer separating the first panel from the second panel.

[0032] The spacer can be part of a spacing structure that can surround the interior space between the first panel and the second panel and can include a corner element and elongated side portions, each of which is coupled to the two side portions. Electrical or electronic components (such as electrical leads, capacitive couplings, plugs, lugs or sockets, etc.) can be placed in the corner spacing element.

[0033] The present invention will be more fully understood through the following description of specific embodiments of the present invention. The description is provided with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a schematic top view of a window unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 2-Figure 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of components of a window unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Initial reference Figure 1 Now, a window unit according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described. The window unit 100 may be provided, for example, in the form of a window of a building, a skylight, a car window or any other structure generally including a window.

[0037] The window unit 100 includes a frame 102 having four corner elements 112 and four side elements 110. The window unit 100 also includes a first panel 108, which is separated from a second panel (not shown) by a spacer (not shown). The first panel 108 and the second panel are transmissive to visible light. The window unit 100 also includes four groups of solar cells 106.

[0038] The window unit 100 may include other devices (not shown) that operate using electricity generated by the solar cell 106 group. For example, the window unit 100 may be combined with devices or systems such as blinds, curtains, air dampers, fans, sensors, or pumps. In addition, the window unit 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes components for adjusting the transmittance or other optical properties of the window unit, and may include, for example, PDLC materials, electrochromic coatings, electronic fluid materials, liquid crystal devices, dispersed polymer liquid crystal (PDLC) materials, or electrophoretic materials. In one variation, the window unit also includes electronic components required to operate and control these devices and components. The electronic components are located in a spacer (not shown) that separates the first panel 108 from the second panel.

[0039] The window unit 100 may be a self-powered unit and may not require external wiring. Since the required electrical and electronic components are located within the spacer, the window unit may be set up and operated without the need for wiring.

[0040] In alternative embodiments, the window unit may include external electrical couplings and leads. Additionally, the frame of the window unit 100 may include electrical couplings for coupling an external battery for storing electricity generated by the solar cells 110. For example, the frame may be arranged so that the external battery may be electrically and mechanically coupled to the window unit 100 using a snap fit or the like.

[0041] Now also refer to Figure 2-Figure 6 , the components of a window unit according to the present invention will now be described. Like components are given like reference numerals.

[0042] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a portion of a component of a window unit 200 is shown, the window component including a first panel 108 and a second panel 208. Both the first panel and the second panel 108, 208 are transmissive to visible light. A group of solar cells 106 is located between the first panel 108 and the second panel 208. In this embodiment, the group of solar cells 106 includes bifacial tile-like solar cells having an active front surface and a rear surface. The first panel 108 and the second panel 208 are separated by a spacer 210. The spacer 210 includes a sealed electrical lead 212. The electrical lead 212 is electrically coupled to the group of solar cells 106 using an electrical conductor (not shown).

[0043] The spacer 210 surrounds the interior space between the first panel 108 and the second panel 208. The first and second panels 108, 208 are laminated together, and the spacer 210 and a group of solar cells 106 are sandwiched between the first panel 108 and the second panel 208. In order to bond the group of solar cells 106 and the spacer 210 to the panels 108, 208, a PVB sheet is initially placed between the first panel 108 and the group of solar cells 106 and the spacer 210. The PVB sheet is then exposed to heat to achieve bonding of the solar cells 106 to the first panel 108. Additional sheets of PVB material are then placed over the group of solar cells 106 and the spacer 210 to protect and encapsulate the group of solar cells 106. In addition, more (thicker) PVB sheets are placed in areas of the first panel 108 where no solar cells or spacers are placed. Then, the second panel 208 is bonded to the exposed surface of the PVB sheet by heating again to form a laminate structure, and the solar cells 106 and the spacers 210 are sandwiched between the first and second panels 108 , 208 .

[0044] A butyl layer 214 is applied over the spacer 210 to form the primary seal of the window unit 200 .

[0045] Figure 3A cross-sectional view of components of another variation 300 of a window unit according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Like components are given like reference numerals. In this embodiment, the second panel includes component panel portions 304, 306. The component panel 304 is separated from the first panel 108 by a spacer 308. A gap is defined between the first panel 108 and the component panel 304 and the spacer 308. The gap can be filled with a gas, such as an inert gas. The spacer 308 surrounds the gap. In this embodiment, the spacer 308 includes an electrical component 310, which is coupled to a sealed lead 312.

[0046] A group of solar cells 106 are sandwiched between the first and second component panel portions 304, 306. The first component panel portion 304 has through holes 314 through which electrical conductors are guided. The electrical conductors electrically couple the solar cells 106 to the electrical components 310 of the spacer 308. The first and second component panel portions 304, 306 are arranged in the same manner as described above with reference to Figure 2 The first and second panels 108 and 208 of the window unit 200 are laminated together in the same manner as described and described above. A butyl layer 214 is applied over the spacer 310 to form the primary seal of the window unit.

[0047] The window unit 300 also includes a dispersed polymer liquid crystal (PDLC) switchable material 316. The PDLC material is located on the outer surface of the first panel 108 and is electrically coupled to the electrical or electronic component 310 via electrical conductors directed through the through holes 318. In this embodiment, the electrical or electronic component 310 includes control electronics for controlling the PDLC material 316. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the window unit 300 may also include other components or switchable materials in addition to the PDLC material.

[0048] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of components of another variant of a window unit 400 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Like components are given like reference numerals. Window unit 400 is similar to window unit 300, but in this embodiment, the extension of the first component panel portion 305 of the second panel is less than the extension of the second component panel portion 306 and the first panel 108. Figure 4 As shown, the edge area of ​​the second component panel portion 306 extends beyond the edge area of ​​the first component panel portion 305, which has the advantage that electrical conductors are guided to the spacer 308 (and the electrical and electronic components 310 therein) within the perimeter projection of the second component panel portion 306 and the first panel 108.

[0049] The window unit 400 also includes a dispersed polymer liquid crystal (PDLC) switchable material 402. In this example, the PDLC material 402 is located on the inner surface of the first panel 108 and is electrically coupled to the electrical or electronic component 310 via electrical conductors (not shown). In this embodiment, the electrical or electronic component 310 includes control electronics for controlling the PDLC material 402. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the window unit 400 may also include other components or switchable coatings in addition to PDLC materials, such as electrochromic coatings, electronic fluid materials, liquid crystal devices, dispersed polymer liquid crystal (PDLC) materials, or electrophoretic materials.

[0050] Figure 5 A cross-sectional view of components of a window unit according to another variation of an embodiment of the present invention is shown. Like components are given like reference numerals. Window unit 500 is similar to window unit 400, but in this embodiment, the second panel also includes a first component panel 502 and a second component panel 504 stacked together. Window unit 500 includes a suspended particle device 503, which is sandwiched between the first and second component panel portions 502, 504. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that window unit 500 may also include, for example, electrochromic coatings, electronic fluid materials, liquid crystal devices, dispersed polymer liquid crystal (PDLC) materials, and electrophoretic materials.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first component panel portion 502 has a smaller major surface than the second component panel portion 504. Figure 5 As shown, the edge area of ​​the second component panel portion 504 extends beyond the edge area of ​​the first component panel portion 502, and the electrical conductors 508 are guided from the suspended particle device 503 to the spacer 308 (and the electrical and electronic components 310 therein) within the perimeter projection of the second component panel portion 504.

[0052] Figure 6 A cross-sectional view of components of another variant 600 of a window unit according to an embodiment of the invention is shown. Like components are given like reference numerals. The window unit comprises a first panel 108, which is separated from a second panel 208 by a spacer 602. The window unit 600 does not include a solar cell, but in this embodiment includes a dispersed polymer liquid crystal (PDLC) switchable material 603.

[0053] The PDLC material 603 is electrically coupled to an electrical or electronic component 604 located in the spacer 602. The electrical or electronic component 604 includes control electronics for controlling the PDLC material 603. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the window unit 600 may also include other components or coatings in addition to the PDLC material 603, such as electrochromic coatings, electronic fluid materials, liquid crystal devices, and electrophoretic materials.

[0054] As mentioned above and with reference Figure 1 As described above, the window unit 100 includes a frame 102. The frame 102 may include corner members or side members having electrical leads for coupling to the electrical leads of the spacers 210, 308, 602. Figure 7 A schematic cross-sectional view of a corner element 700 is shown, which can replace Figure 1 1. The corner element 112 is shown in FIG. The corner element 700 has an electrical lead with couplings 704, 726 and an electrical conductor 728.

[0055] Figure 8 A schematic cross-sectional view of another variant of a corner element of a frame is shown. Like parts are given like reference numerals. Figure 8 The corner element 800 shown in FIG. 8 can also be replaced by Figure 1 1. In this embodiment, corner element 800 also includes an electrical or electronic component 802, which may be a battery or may include control electronics.

[0056] In any of the described embodiments, a group of solar cells 106 can be of any suitable type. For example, the solar cells can include different types of semiconductor materials, such as one or more of Si, CdS, CdTe, GaAs, CIS, or CIGS. In addition, the solar cells can be positioned in a tile-like arrangement and can include bifacial solar cells.

[0057] The electrical and electronic components 310 in the window units 200, 300, 400 and 500 may also include a diode and a battery or capacitor for storing the power generated by the solar cell 106. In addition, the electrical and electronic components 310 may include a battery charge controller. Additionally or alternatively, the electrical and electronic components 310 may include a voltage regulator that allows the power generated by the solar cell 106 to be directly used by other devices of the window unit.

[0058] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that in any of the described embodiments, the spacer 308 may not include electronic components, but may include only electrical components provided in the form of electrical conductors for electrical connection with leads. Furthermore, in another variation, the spacer 308 may not include leads, but may only house a battery and control electronics for controlling another component or device of the window unit or storing electrical energy received from the electrical components of the window unit.

[0059] In any described embodiments, the first panel and the second panel may include diffraction gratings, luminescent materials and / or scattering materials arranged to preferentially deflect incident infrared light to edge regions of the panels. The window unit may also include additional solar cells facing the edges, with the panels positioned to receive the deflected incident infrared light.

[0060] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that reference to prior art does not constitute an admission that the referenced prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

Claims

1. A window unit for a building or structure, the window unit include: a first panel having a region that transmits at least a portion of visible light, the first panel having opposing major surfaces; a second panel having a region that transmits at least a portion of visible light, the second panel having opposing major surfaces; a spacer separating the first panel from the second panel; and At least one electrical or electronic component is located within the spacer and is electrically coupled, either directly or indirectly, to at least one electrical component located within the window unit.

2. The window unit of claim 1, comprising said at least one electrical component.

3. The window unit according to claim 2, in, The at least one electrical component is provided in the form of at least one set of solar cells positioned along at least one edge of the first panel.

4. A window unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The spacer forms a part of a spacing structure surrounding an interior space between the first panel and the second panel.

5. The window unit according to claim 4, in, The at least one electrical or electronic component is located within a corner spacer portion of the spacing structure.

6. A window unit according to any preceding claim, comprising a first electrical coupler, and in, The at least one electrical or electronic element is electrically coupled indirectly or directly between the at least one electrical component and the first electrical coupler.

7. The window unit according to claim 6, in, The spacer includes the first electrical coupler.

8. A window unit according to claim 6 or 7, in, The spacer includes electrical leads.

9. A window unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The at least one electrical or electronic component comprises an electrical conductor.

10. A window unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The at least one electrical or electronic component includes at least one of a diode, a battery, and a capacitor.

11. A window unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The electrical or electronic component comprises control electronics for controlling the at least one electrical component.

12. A window unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The at least one electrical component includes at least one of a suspended particle device, an electrochromic coating, an electrofluidic material, a liquid crystal device, a polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) material, and an electrophoretic material.

13. A window unit according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one set of solar cells, and in, The first panel and the second panel are combined together in such a way that an air gap between the at least one group of solar cells having the spacer and the first and second panels is avoided, and the solar cells having the spacer are sandwiched between the first and second panels.

14. The window unit according to claim 13, in, The first panel and the second panel are bonded together to form a laminate structure.

15. A window unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The window unit includes at least one group of solar cells positioned along an edge portion of the first panel, and wherein the spacer is positioned directly at the edge of the first panel and within the plane of the at least one group of solar cells, and wherein the first panel and the second panel are stacked together.

16. A window unit according to any one of claims 1 to 14, in, The first panel and the second panel form a spaced-apart relationship with each other, such as forming a plenum gap between the first panel and the second panel, and wherein the first panel comprises laminated component panel portions.

17. The window unit of claim 16, comprising at least one set of solar cells sandwiched between the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion.

18. A window unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The window unit is a self-powered unit that does not necessarily require external wiring.

19. A window unit according to any of the preceding claims, comprising at least one group of solar cells, the solar cells comprising bifacial solar cells having opposite first and second surfaces, each surface having an area capable of absorbing light to generate electricity, the solar cells being positioned so that in use, the first surface is oriented to receive light from a direction of incident light and the second surface receives light from an opposite direction.

20. The window unit according to claim 19, in, The solar cells in the group of solar cells are positioned in an overlapping relationship, for example in a tile-like arrangement.

21. A window unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in, The first panel includes a first component panel portion and a second component panel portion, and wherein the first component panel portion has a first major surface parallel to the first major surface of the second component panel portion, and the area of ​​the first major surface of the second panel is smaller than the area of ​​the first major surface of the first component panel portion, thereby, the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion are arranged so that the projection of the first component panel portion along the surface normal extends beyond the perimeter of the second component panel portion.

22. A building or structure, wherein the window unit include: A first panel having an area that transmits at least a portion of visible light and includes a first component panel portion and a second component panel portion, the first component panel portion having a first major surface parallel to the first major surface of the second component panel portion, the area of ​​the first major surface of the second panel being smaller than the area of ​​the first major surface of the first component panel portion, whereby the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion are arranged such that the projection of the first major surface of the first component panel along the surface normal extends beyond the perimeter of the second component panel portion.

23. The window unit of claim 22, comprising at least one set of solar cells located between the first component panel portion and the second component panel portion.

24. A window unit according to claim 22 or 23, comprising a second panel having an area that transmits at least a portion of visible light, and a spacer separating the first panel from the second panel.

25. The window unit according to claim 24, in, The spacer is a part of a spacing structure surrounding an inner space between the first panel and the second panel.

Images