Adjustable seasonal self-adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase-change material

Abstract

The invention discloses an adjustable seasonal self-adaptive energy-saving window based on a flexible phase change material, the adjustable seasonal self-adaptive energy-saving window is provided with a double-layer glass window body, a roller shutter system, an electrostatic dust collection module and an air filtering system, the roller shutter system comprises a roller shutter rotating shaft and a roller shutter, the roller shutter comprises a flexible PCM base material, and a reflecting layer and a heat absorption layer which are respectively formed on two sides of the flexible PCM base material; switching between winter and summer modes is realized by driving the roller shutter rotating shaft; in winter, the heat absorption layer faces outdoors, absorbs solar energy, stores the solar energy in the PCM, heats air in the cavity and then guides the air into a room. In summer, the reflecting layer faces outdoors and reflects solar radiation, residual heat is absorbed through PCM, heat is discharged in combination with air circulation, and the indoor temperature is lowered; the electrostatic dust collection module and the air filtering system synchronously purify air in the heat management process, and the indoor air quality is ensured. The problems of winter and summer performance contradiction and high energy consumption of a traditional window can be solved, and the effects of heat insulation in summer and fresh air temperature increase in winter are achieved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of building environment regulation and energy saving, and in particular to an adjustable seasonally adaptive energy-saving window based on a flexible phase-change material. Background Art

[0002] Windows, as a weak link in building heat exchange, easily introduce excessive solar heat in summer, increasing indoor cooling loads. In winter, insufficient insulation causes heat loss, exacerbating heating energy consumption. While existing technologies have attempted to improve window performance through insulating glass, Low-E coatings, or external shading devices, these technologies are limited in functionality and rely on the regulation of indoor heat and cooling sources, making it difficult to achieve "bidirectional adaptive" thermal management in both winter and summer. Summary of the Invention

[0003] Purpose of the invention: The purpose of the present invention is to provide an adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change materials to solve the problems of performance contradictions between winter and summer and high energy consumption of traditional windows.

[0004] Technical Solution: The present invention discloses an adjustable, seasonally adaptive, energy-saving window based on a flexible phase-change material, comprising a window frame and a double-glazed window body. The outer glass window body has an outer air outlet at the top and an air inlet at the bottom; the inner glass window body has an inner air outlet at the top; a roller shutter system is disposed in a sealed cavity formed between the inner and outer glass windows, the roller shutter system comprising a roller shutter shaft and a roller shutter, the roller shutter comprising a flexible PCM substrate and a reflective layer and a heat-absorbing layer formed on either side of the flexible PCM substrate. The roller shutter shaft is rotatably installed on the window frame and is driven to rotate manually or electrically to realize the retraction and extension of the roller shutter and the flipping of the reflective layer and the heat-absorbing layer; wind shields are provided at the outer air outlet and the inner air outlet to control the opening and closing of the corresponding air outlet; in winter, the heat-absorbing layer faces the outside, the reflective layer faces the inside, the air inlet and the inner air outlet are opened, and the outer air outlet is closed to promote heat transfer to the room; in summer, the reflective layer faces the outside, the heat-absorbing layer faces the inside, the inner air outlet is closed, and the air inlet and the outer air outlet are opened to enhance heat dissipation.

[0005] Furthermore, the flexible PCM substrate uses a melt blending process to compound the phase change material PCM with the styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer SEBS to form a flexible film material with thermo-transparent properties; when the temperature is lower than the PCM phase transition point, the material is translucent milky white; when the temperature rises above the phase transition point, the refractive index of the SEBS matrix matches that of the molten PCM, and the material changes to a transparent state, realizing dynamic adjustment of the transmittance.

[0006] Furthermore, the reflective layer is composed of a multilayer composite structure of transparent conductive oxide, low-emissivity film and high-reflective nano-coating, and is integrated on the surface of the flexible PCM substrate.

[0007] Furthermore, the heat absorption layer is made of a mixture of photothermal conversion nanomaterials and wide bandgap oxides, which is coated on the surface of the flexible PCM substrate to form a selective heat absorption interface.

[0008] In the present invention, the flexible PCM can efficiently store thermal energy and also has thermo-transparent properties. It can dynamically adjust the transmittance according to temperature changes (the transmittance is increased by 40%-60%), realizing the dual functions of energy storage and photothermal regulation.

[0009] Furthermore, air filtration systems are provided at the air inlet, outer air outlet and inner air outlet to intercept dust and pollutants.

[0010] Furthermore, the air filtration system adopts a multi-stage filter screen.

[0011] Furthermore, the glass window adopts Low-E glass.

[0012] Furthermore, the window frame adopts a thermally-insulated aluminum alloy frame and is filled with thermal insulation material.

[0013] Furthermore, in the transition season, the roller blind is retracted, the air inlet and the inner air outlet are opened, the outer air outlet is closed, and the air enters the room through the air inlet, the cavity, and the inner air outlet.

[0014] Furthermore, cathode and anode plates are symmetrically arranged on either side of the cavity, forming an electrostatic precipitator module that absorbs particulate matter from the air. During winter and transitional seasons, the electrostatic precipitator module is activated to ensure the quality of the air entering the room; during summer, it is deactivated. Electrostatic precipitators simultaneously purify the air during the thermal management process, preventing indoor air pollution.

[0015] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following significant advantages:

[0016] The present invention utilizes the energy storage properties of phase change materials (PCM) to achieve efficient storage and release of thermal energy, and uses a dynamically adjustable roller shutter system to actively control the direction of heat flow according to seasonal needs. It can effectively block external heat from entering the room in the summer and lower the indoor temperature; while in the winter, it can absorb and store solar heat and increase the temperature of fresh air, thereby achieving the dual effects of energy saving and comfort.

[0017] The roller shutter only requires a single driving component (roller shutter shaft) to change the orientation of the reflective layer and the heat-absorbing layer to achieve winter and summer mode conversion. It has a simple structure and high reliability.

[0018] The energy-saving windows provided by the present invention can achieve the effects of heat insulation in summer and increasing the temperature of fresh air in winter. They are not only suitable for buildings that require energy saving, such as residences, office buildings, schools, etc., but are also particularly suitable for areas with large temperature differences between day and night, so as to give full play to the energy storage characteristics of phase change materials. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a seasonally adaptive energy-saving window with summer heat insulation and ventilation based on a flexible phase change material provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 (a) is a side view, Figure 1 (b) is the main view, Figure 1 (c) is the rear view;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a seasonally adaptive energy-saving window with winter heat storage and ventilation based on flexible phase change materials provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 (a) is a side view, Figure 2 (b) is the main view, Figure 2 (c) is the rear view;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the seasonal ventilation principle of an adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change material provided by an embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figure 3 (a) is a side view, Figure 3 (b) is the main view, Figure 3 (c) is the rear view.

[0022] Figure 4 Schematic diagram of the windshield in the embodiment of the present invention, wherein Figure 4 (a) is the open state, Figure 4 (b) is the closed state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Attachment Figures 1 to 3 The reference numerals in the figures are as follows:

[0025] 1 / 2, glass window; 3, cathode plate; 4, anode plate; 5, roller shutter shaft; 6, reflective layer; 7, heat-absorbing layer; 8 / 9, window frame; 10, air inlet; 11, outer air outlet; 12, inner air outlet; 13, front windshield; 14, rear windshield.

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, an embodiment of the present invention provides an adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on a flexible phase change material, comprising a window frame (8 and 9 in the figure represent the lower and upper parts of the window frame, respectively) and a double-glazed window body. The outer glass window body 1 is provided with an outer air outlet 11 at the upper part and an air inlet 10 at the lower part. The inner glass window body 2 is provided with an inner air outlet 12 at the upper part. The glass window body is made of high-strength low-emissivity glass, such as Low-E glass. A sealed cavity is formed between the inner and outer glass windows for heat insulation and light transmission, and a roller shutter system is provided in the cavity.

[0027] The roller blind system includes a roller blind shaft 5 and a roller blind. The roller blind comprises a flexible PCM substrate and a reflective layer 6 and a heat-absorbing layer 7 formed on either side of the flexible PCM substrate. The roller blind shaft 5 is rotatably mounted on the top of the window frame and is driven manually or electrically to rotate, thereby retracting and extending the roller blind and flipping the reflective layer 6 and the heat-absorbing layer 7. A front windshield 13 is provided at the outer air outlet 11, and a rear windshield 14 is provided at the inner air outlet 12. The windshields are used to control the opening and closing of the corresponding air outlets. Specifically, the windshields are fixed to the window frame and are opened and closed by controlling the rotation of the blinds, such as Figure 4 shown.

[0028] The flexible PCM substrate utilizes a melt blending process to combine a phase change material (PCM, such as paraffin, fatty acids, or eutectic salts) with styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer (SEBS), creating a flexible film with thermo-induced transparency. When the temperature is below the PCM's phase transition point (35-40°C), the material appears translucent and milky white. When the temperature rises above the phase transition point, the refractive index of the SEBS matrix matches that of the molten PCM, transforming the material into a transparent state and achieving dynamic light transmittance adjustment (transmittance can be increased by 40%-60%).

[0029] The reflective layer 6 is a multilayer composite structure composed of a transparent conductive oxide (such as indium tin oxide (ITO), a low-emissivity film (magnesium fluoride (MgF2)), and a highly reflective nano-coating (titanium dioxide (TiO2)). It is integrated onto the surface of a flexible PCM substrate. When facing outdoors, the reflective layer 6 blocks over 90% of near-infrared radiation from entering the room through the broad-spectrum reflective properties of the TiO2 nanoparticles (sunlight reflectivity ≥85%) and the low-emissivity effect of ITO. For summer insulation, the reflective layer 6 faces outdoors, while the heat-absorbing layer 7 faces indoors. The interior air outlet 12 is closed, while the exterior air outlet 11 is open. Any residual heat that is not reflected is absorbed and stored by the flexible PCM. Air flows in through the air inlet 10 and out through the exterior air outlet 11 due to the chimney effect. The PCM's energy storage, combined with the cavity airflow, removes heat from the window, minimizing the amount of outdoor heat entering the room.

[0030] The heat absorption layer 7 is a blend of photothermal conversion nanomaterials (such as cadmium selenide CdSe quantum dots and black phosphorus nanosheets) and wide-bandgap oxides (such as zinc oxide ZnO and tin oxide SnO2) coated on the surface of the flexible PCM substrate to form a selective heat absorption interface. When the heat absorption layer 7 faces the outdoors, the CdSe quantum dots convert more than 80% of visible and near-infrared light into heat energy through the localized surface plasmon resonance effect, heating the PCM to the phase transition temperature (35-40°C). In winter, the heat absorption layer 7 faces the outdoors, the reflective layer 6 faces the indoors, the inner air outlet 12 is open, and the outer air outlet 11 is closed. The flexible PCM substrate maintains a visible light transmittance of 40% to 50% during the heat storage process, taking into account the indoor natural lighting needs. At the same time, the latent heat of the PCM phase change heats the cavity air, and the heat convection cycle increases the temperature of the fresh air.

[0031] Cathode plates 3 and anode plates 4 are symmetrically arranged on either side of the double-glazed glass cavity, forming an electrostatic precipitator module. This module absorbs airborne particulate matter through a high-voltage electrostatic field, reducing the impact of dust accumulation within the cavity on thermal performance and ensuring clean air enters the indoor environment. An 8-12 kV DC voltage is applied to cathode plates 3 and anode plates 4, creating a non-uniform electric field that captures 92%-95% of PM2.5 particles in the airflow, preventing light transmittance degradation and indoor air pollution caused by dust accumulation. The electrostatic precipitator module operates in winter and transitional seasons to ensure high air quality entering the room; it is deactivated in summer.

[0032] An air filtration system is provided at the air inlet 10, the outer air outlet 11 and the inner air outlet 12 to intercept dust and pollutants. In this embodiment, the air filtration system adopts a multi-stage filter (primary efficiency + high efficiency).

[0033] The window frame utilizes a thermally insulated aluminum alloy frame filled with insulation to ensure overall airtightness and structural stability. The roller shutter, constructed from a flexible PCM substrate, a reflective layer (6), and a heat-absorbing layer (7), is only 1.5 to 2.0 mm thick and has a surface density of ≤800 g / m². This reduces weight by 60% compared to traditional glass-PCM composite structures, making it suitable for retrofitting existing building windows.

[0034] The present invention uses a passive chimney effect and directional air duct design to achieve efficient thermal management. The following details the working principles of the present invention's summer heat insulation ventilation, winter heat storage ventilation, and transition season ventilation.

[0035] (1) Insulation and ventilation in summer

[0036] like Figure 1As shown, the roller blind shaft 5 is driven to summer mode, with the reflective layer 6 facing outdoors and the heat-absorbing layer 7 facing indoors. When sunlight strikes the reflective layer 6, the TiO2 nanoparticles, through their broad-spectrum reflective properties, reflect most of the visible and near-infrared light back outdoors, reducing the amount of solar radiation that directly enters the room. The reflective layer 6 blocks over 90% of solar heat radiation, reducing heat transfer from the window to the interior. The small amount of solar heat radiation that is not reflected is absorbed by the flexible PCM. PCM undergoes a phase transition (solid-to-liquid) within the phase transition temperature range (e.g., 35-40°C), absorbing a large amount of latent heat (≥150 J / g), acting as a thermal buffer. As the PCM absorbs heat and gradually melts, the flexible PCM substrate transforms from a translucent milky white to a transparent state, increasing its light transmittance to 40%-60%, ensuring soft indoor lighting and avoiding glare.

[0037] External air outlet 11 is open, and internal air outlet 12 is closed. Outdoor air enters the window cavity through air inlet 10, absorbs residual heat from reflective layer 6 and the PCM, and its temperature rises. Driven by the thermal pressure differential, the hot air is discharged outdoors through external air outlet 11, creating a continuous airflow (flow rate of 0.2-0.5 m / s), which controls the cavity temperature to 5-8°C lower than the outdoor temperature. This air circulation continuously removes heat from the window cavity, preventing heat transfer indoors and further reducing the indoor cooling load.

[0038] In high temperature environments in summer (outdoor temperature 35°C), the window can control the indoor surface temperature below 28°C, reducing indoor air conditioning energy consumption by 25% to 30%.

[0039] In summer mode, energy-saving windows achieve multiple functions of efficient heat insulation and dynamic light transmission through the synergistic effect of the reflective layer's efficient reflection, PCM's thermal buffering and energy storage, and air circulation's enhanced heat dissipation, thereby improving the comfort and energy-saving effects of the indoor environment in summer.

[0040] (2) Heat storage and ventilation in winter

[0041] like Figure 2 As shown, the roller blind shaft 5 is driven to winter mode, with the heat-absorbing layer 7 facing outdoors and the reflective layer 6 facing indoors. The heat-absorbing layer 7 absorbs solar radiation, and the phase change material (PCM) stores a large amount of solar heat energy through latent heat, releasing heat over a long period of time. This heat is transferred from the roller blind surface to the window cavity, warming the air flowing through it. The PCM phase change process occurs within a specific temperature range (e.g., 35-40°C), ensuring stable heat release and preventing air temperature fluctuations.

[0042] The outer air outlet 11 is closed, and the inner air outlet 12 is open. Cold outdoor air enters the window cavity through the air inlet 10. As it flows across the surface of the heat-absorbing layer 7, it undergoes heat convection exchange, absorbing heat released by the PCM and causing its temperature to rise. Driven by the thermal pressure differential, a stable convection cycle forms within the cavity, ensuring efficient heat transfer to the room. The heated air enters the room through the inner air outlet 12, forming a continuous stream of hot air with a flow rate of 0.3 to 0.6 m / s, raising the indoor temperature and reducing the energy consumption of heating the fresh air.

[0043] A DC voltage of 8 to 12 kV is applied to the cathode plate 3 and anode plate 4, creating a non-uniform electric field that absorbs PM2.5 particles from the cavity airflow, achieving a dust removal efficiency of 92% to 95%. The flexible PCM substrate remains translucent in winter mode, with a light transmittance of 40% to 60%, ensuring natural lighting requirements for the interior. By introducing hot air and purifying the air, the indoor temperature is evenly distributed, air quality is improved, and the indoor comfort level is enhanced during winter.

[0044] In winter mode, energy-saving windows achieve efficient heat storage and air purification functions through the synergistic effect of PCM heat release, passive chimney effect, directional air duct design and electrostatic dust removal module, improving the comfort and energy saving effect of the indoor environment in winter.

[0045] (3) Transition season ventilation

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the roller shutter shaft 5 is driven to transitional season mode, fully rolling up the shutter and opening the window cavity completely. When the shutter is retracted, the window cavity is directly connected to the indoor and outdoor areas, enabling natural ventilation and daylighting. The window cavity serves as a transitional space, effectively buffering outdoor temperature fluctuations and maintaining a comfortable indoor temperature. Outdoor air enters the window cavity through the air inlet 10. After flowing through the cavity, the air enters the room through the inner air outlet 12, forming a natural ventilation airflow. This airflow is driven by the passive chimney effect and natural wind pressure, ensuring indoor air circulation. Through natural ventilation, the heat within the window cavity is dynamically regulated to prevent the incoming air from overheating or overcooling. When the shutter is fully retracted, the window light transmittance is increased to a maximum of 80% to 90%, ensuring the required natural lighting for the room. Through natural ventilation and air purification, indoor air circulation is enhanced, temperature distribution is even, and the indoor comfort during the transitional season is improved.

[0047] In summary, the present invention organically combines the ventilation and purification functions of the building window structure with the light and heat regulation functions, and regulates the energy-saving windows to reflect or absorb solar energy in different seasons, thereby achieving efficient ventilation, energy saving and indoor environment optimization in winter and summer.

Claims

1. An adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change material, comprising a window frame and a double-glazed window body, characterized in that: An outer air outlet (11) is provided on the upper portion of the outer glass window, and an air inlet (10) is provided on the lower portion; an inner air outlet (12) is provided on the upper portion of the inner glass window; a rolling curtain system is provided in a sealed cavity formed between the inner and outer glass windows, the rolling curtain system comprising a rolling curtain shaft (5) and a rolling curtain, the rolling curtain comprising a flexible PCM substrate and a reflective layer (6) and a heat absorbing layer (7) respectively formed on both sides of the flexible PCM substrate; the rolling curtain shaft (5) is rotatably mounted on the window frame and is driven to rotate manually or electrically to realize the retraction and extension of the rolling curtain. and the flipping of the reflective layer (6) and the heat absorption layer (7); wind shields are provided at the outer air outlet (11) and the inner air outlet (12) to control the opening and closing of the corresponding air outlets; in winter, the heat absorption layer (7) faces the outdoors, the reflective layer (6) faces the indoors, the air inlet (10) and the inner air outlet (12) are opened, and the outer air outlet (11) is closed, thereby promoting the transfer of heat to the indoors; in summer, the reflective layer (6) faces the outdoors, the heat absorption layer (7) faces the indoors, the inner air outlet (12) is closed, and the air inlet (10) and the outer air outlet (11) are opened, thereby enhancing heat dissipation.

2. The adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The flexible PCM substrate uses a melt blending process to compound the phase change material PCM with the styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene block copolymer SEBS to form a flexible film material with thermo-induced transparency. When the temperature is below the PCM phase transition point, the material is translucent milky white. When the temperature rises above the phase transition point, the refractive index of the SEBS matrix matches that of the molten PCM, and the material changes to a transparent state, achieving dynamic adjustment of light transmittance.

3. The adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change material according to claim 2, characterized in that: The reflective layer (6) is a multilayer composite structure composed of a transparent conductive oxide, a low-radiation film and a high-reflection nano-coating, and is integrated on the surface of a flexible PCM substrate.

4. The adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change material according to claim 2, characterized in that: The heat absorption layer (7) is made by mixing light-heat conversion nanomaterials with wide bandgap oxides and is coated on the surface of the flexible PCM substrate to form a selective heat absorption interface.

5. The adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change material according to claim 1, characterized in that: An air filter system is provided at the air inlet (10), the outer air outlet (11) and the inner air outlet (12) to intercept dust and pollutants.

6. The adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change material according to claim 5, characterized in that: The air filtering system adopts a multi-stage filter screen.

7. The adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The glass windows are made of Low-E glass.

8. The adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change material according to claim 1, characterized in that: The window frame adopts thermal insulation aluminum alloy frame and is filled with thermal insulation material.

9. The adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change material according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that: During the transition season, the roller blind is retracted, the air inlet (10) and the inner air outlet (12) are opened, and the outer air outlet (11) is closed, and air enters the room through the air inlet (10), the cavity, and the inner air outlet (12).

10. The adjustable seasonal adaptive energy-saving window based on flexible phase change material according to claim 9, characterized in that: A cathode plate (3) and an anode plate (4) are symmetrically arranged on both sides of the cavity, forming an electrostatic dust removal module for adsorbing particulate matter in the air; in winter and transition seasons, the electrostatic dust removal module is turned on to ensure the quality of air entering the room; in summer, the electrostatic dust removal module is turned off.

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