A thermoelectric-electro-mist synergistically enhanced thermal insulation smart window and a control method thereof

Abstract

The application discloses a thermoelectric-electro-mist synergistically enhanced heat insulation intelligent window and a control method thereof. The intelligent window comprises a cold-end glass, a hot-end glass, a thermoelectric device, an electro-mist film, an energy storage unit, a controller and a temperature measuring unit for monitoring the temperature of the hot-end glass. The hot-end glass is connected with the cold-end glass through a spacing strip. The thermoelectric device is connected with the hot-end glass and the cold-end glass through a heat-conducting layer. The electro-mist film is attached to the inner side or the outer side of the cold-end glass. The thermoelectric device generates electricity based on the temperature difference between the hot-end glass and the cold-end glass. The thermoelectric device is connected with the energy storage unit. The controller is connected with the temperature measuring unit, the energy storage unit and the electro-mist film. The application not only enhances the heat insulation effect through thermoelectric-electro-mist synergy, but also has the functions of active and passive control.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of intelligent energy-saving windows, and more particularly to a thermoelectric-electro-induced atomization synergistic enhanced heat insulation intelligent window and its control method, which can be applied to intelligent glass windows with heat insulation, sun protection and privacy functions in the fields of construction and transportation. Background Technology

[0002] The International Energy Agency (IEA) points out that building energy consumption (heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation) accounts for 40% of global energy consumption, with approximately 60% of that caused by energy exchange between the inside and outside of windows. In the hot summer, excessive solar radiation entering indoor spaces significantly increases cooling energy consumption. Smart windows can dynamically regulate the amount of solar radiation entering the room, ensuring the indoor environment remains within a comfortable temperature range, thereby reducing the demand for cooling and heating energy and improving building energy efficiency. They also offer features such as privacy and adjustable indoor brightness. Currently, the most researched smart windows include electrochromic smart windows, thermochromic smart windows, photochromic smart windows, and mechanically responsive smart windows. Among these, passively responsive color-changing smart windows are receiving increasing attention because they do not require an external energy supply.

[0003] Patent document CN109638147A discloses a method for manufacturing energy-harvesting heat-insulating glass. When sunlight shines, the glass with an infrared-absorbing layer is transparent to visible light. The side of the glass where sunlight shines absorbs infrared rays and heats up, while the side where sunlight shines out reflects infrared rays, creating a temperature difference between the two sides of the glass. A potential difference is generated in a flexible thermoelectric element with alternating series thermoelectric material circuits, which can convert the temperature difference into electrical energy. The paper "Transparent Power-Generating Windows Based on Solar-Thermal-Electric Conversion" (Adv. Energy Mater. 2021, 11, 2101213) proposes a solar-thermal-electric conversion power-generating window. Its principle is: a PET film with infrared absorption properties is attached to ordinary glass, and it is connected to another piece of glass through a thermoelectric converter. Solar energy generates a temperature rise on the heat-insulating PET film, and the thermoelectric converter generates a voltage of 3-4 volts. The power generation mode described above is simple, but the power generation is limited, and it does not utilize this electrical energy to regulate sunlight or enhance heat insulation.

[0004] Patent document CN118963033A discloses an electro / thermal dual-response color-changing smart window and its preparation method. The color-changing method relies on the combination of polymer materials and small molecule materials, and the color-changing is driven by an external electric field. It has a regulating effect on the visible light part, but cannot block near-infrared heat insulation, nor can it be actively controlled by humans.

[0005] Patent document CN114675457A discloses a self-biased electrochromic smart window that converts the heat energy generated by the infrared absorbing coating into electrical energy using a thermoelectric conversion device. The electrochromic window then uses this converted electrical energy to regulate visible light. This method utilizes thermoelectric power generation to drive the electrochromic material to adjust visible light; however, the time required for the smart window to undergo electrochromic transformation is approximately 30 minutes, which is affected by the power generation capacity and cannot be manually or automatically controlled. Furthermore, the cold-end glass uses an electrochromic material, which absorbs heat radiation. This significant temperature increase in the glass reduces the temperature difference with the other glass, lowering the power generation efficiency. Ultimately, as sunlight intensifies, the power generation decreases, failing to drive the thermochromic coating to change color. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the above issues, this invention pioneers a thermoelectric-electro-fogging synergistic enhanced thermal insulation smart window and control method. This invention generates and stores electricity based on the temperature difference between the cold and hot ends of the glass, which is then used to drive the atomization of the electro-fogging film, achieving passively enhanced thermal insulation of the window. Alternatively, the atomization / transparency state of the glass can be manually controlled to achieve active enhanced thermal insulation and privacy. This smart window not only enhances thermal insulation through thermoelectric-electro-fogging synergy but also features active / passive control capabilities.

[0007] The present invention adopts the following technical solution: a thermoelectric-electro-atomization synergistic enhanced heat insulation smart window, comprising a cold end glass, a hot end glass, a thermoelectric device, an electro-atomizing film, an energy storage unit, a controller, and a temperature measuring unit for monitoring the temperature of the hot end glass, wherein the hot end glass and the cold end glass are sealed and connected by a spacer strip, the thermoelectric device is tightly connected to the hot end glass and the cold end glass respectively through a thermally conductive layer, the electro-atomizing film is attached to the inner or outer side of the cold end glass, the thermoelectric device generates electricity based on the temperature difference between the hot end glass and the cold end glass, the thermoelectric device is connected to the energy storage unit, and the controller is connected to the temperature measuring unit, the energy storage unit, and the electro-atomizing film.

[0008] Further optimization involves connecting several thermoelectric devices in series, parallel, or a combination of series and parallel connections.

[0009] Further optimization includes a transformer, with the transformer, energy storage unit, and controller integrated into a transformer energy storage control element.

[0010] Further preferably, the hot-end glass is near-infrared absorbing heat-insulating glass.

[0011] Further preferably, the near-infrared absorbing heat-insulating glass refers to a heat-insulating coating, coated glass, laminated glass, or bulk phase distributed glass containing one or more of the following: tungsten bronze, reduced tungsten oxide, reduced molybdenum oxide, tin-based oxide, indium-based oxide, rare earth boride, copper sulfide, titanium nitride, graphene oxide, and carbon black nanoparticles.

[0012] More preferably, the thermally conductive layer is one or more of thermally conductive silicone, thermal grease, and thermally conductive metal.

[0013] Further optimization involves the controller controlling the energy storage unit to supply power to the electro-atomizing membrane based on the temperature data collected by the temperature measurement unit and according to the set trigger temperature threshold, or manually controlling the energy storage unit to supply power to the electro-atomizing membrane.

[0014] More preferably, the thermoelectric device refers to one or both of lead telluride (PbTe) and silicon-germanium (SiGe) alloys.

[0015] Further preferably, the electro-atomizing film refers to either a reverse electro-atomizing film that atomizes when energized and becomes transparent when energized, or a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal film.

[0016] This invention also provides a control method for a thermoelectric-electro-fogging synergistic enhanced heat insulation smart window. The thermoelectric device is connected to the cold and hot end glass, and generates electricity using the temperature difference, which is stored in an energy storage unit. A temperature sensor is used as a smart switch. When the surface temperature of the hot end glass is lower than a set threshold, the smart window is in a transparent heat insulation and sun protection state. When the surface temperature reaches the set threshold, it drives the electro-fogging film to fog up, or the controller can manually control the energy storage unit to supply power and drive the electro-fogging film to fog up.

[0017] This invention utilizes thermoelectric devices to connect cold and hot-end glass, generating electricity based on the temperature difference and storing it in an energy storage unit. This thermoelectric power generation maintains stable efficiency for most of the day's sunlight exposure. The thermoelectric devices generate and store electricity throughout the day using temperature difference, and a temperature sensor acts as a smart switch. When the surface temperature of the hot-end glass is below a set threshold, the smart window is in a transparent, heat-insulating, and sun-protective state. When the surface temperature reaches the set threshold, it activates an electro-fogging film that atomizes (in an extremely short time, within 0.5 seconds). The atomized film reflects visible light, significantly reducing visible light transmittance while further lowering the temperature of the cold-end glass, increasing the temperature difference for power generation, and further improving the smart window's heat insulation and power generation performance. As sunlight weakens, the temperature of the hot-end glass drops, and the smart window returns to a transparent state (within 1 second). The atomized / transparent state can be manually switched via an electronic switch. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1 This is the main view of a thermoelectric-electro-induced atomization and heat-insulating smart window.

[0019] Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of a thermoelectric-electro-induced atomization-enhanced thermal insulation smart window.

[0020] Figure 3 A side view of a thermoelectric-electro-induced atomization synergistic enhancement of thermal insulation smart window.

[0021] Figure 4This is a spectral diagram of the thermal insulation performance of a thermoelectric-electro-induced atomization synergistic enhanced thermal insulation smart window.

[0022] In the figure, 1. cold end glass, 2. hot end glass, 3. thermal conductive layer, 4. temperature sensor, 5. transformer energy storage control element, 6. thermoelectric device, 7. spacer bar, 8. electro-atomizing film. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments.

[0024] like Figures 1-3 A thermoelectric-electro-atomization synergistic enhanced heat insulation smart window includes a cold-end glass (1), a hot-end glass (2), thermoelectric devices (6), an electro-atomizing film (8), and a transformer energy storage control element (5). The hot-end glass (2) and the cold-end glass (1) are connected by a spacer (7). The spacer (7) has reserved installation positions for the thermoelectric devices (6) around its perimeter. Thermoelectric devices (6) are arranged around the glass perimeter. The thermoelectric devices (6) are connected in series, in parallel, or in a series-parallel composite connection. The thermoelectric devices (6) are connected by a series connection. The heat-conducting layer (3) is tightly connected to the hot-end glass (2) and the cold-end glass (1) respectively. The electro-atomizing film (8) is attached to the inner or outer side of the cold-end glass (1), and its area must be no less than the light-transmitting area of ​​the smart window. The thermoelectric device (6) generates electricity based on the temperature difference between the hot-end glass (2) and the cold-end glass (1). The thermoelectric device (6) is connected to the transformer energy storage control element (5), and also includes a temperature sensor (4) for monitoring the temperature of the hot-end glass (2). The temperature sensor (4) is attached to the inner edge of the hot-end glass (2). The transformer energy storage control element (5) is connected to the temperature sensor (4) and the electro-atomizing film (8). Based on the temperature data collected by the temperature sensor (4), the transformer energy storage control element (5) controls the energy storage unit to supply power to the electro-atomizing film (8) according to the set trigger temperature threshold, or manually controls the energy storage unit to supply power to the electro-atomizing film (8). In this embodiment, the transformer, energy storage unit, and controller are integrated into a transformer energy storage control element (5). Of course, those skilled in the art can also install the energy storage unit, transformer, and controller separately, or if voltage regulation is not required, the transformer can be omitted, and the conduction temperature can be set to 30-80℃. The transformer here is generally a step-up transformer. The transformer energy storage control element (5) or controller is equipped with a button for manually controlling whether to supply power to the electro-atomizing membrane (8).

[0025] When the glass surface temperature is below the set threshold, the smart window is in a transparent, heat-insulating, and sun-protective state. When the surface temperature reaches the set threshold, the temperature sensor (4) is turned on, driving the electro-fogging film (8) to fog up, thus achieving passive heat insulation enhancement of the window. The transformer energy storage control element (5) also integrates an electric control switch, which can manually control the fogging / transparent state of the window, thus achieving active heat insulation and privacy enhancement of the window.

[0026] In this embodiment, the hot-end glass (2) is a near-infrared absorbing heat-insulating glass. The near-infrared absorbing heat-insulating glass (2) refers to a heat-insulating coating, coated glass, laminated glass, or bulk phase distributed glass containing one or more of the following: tungsten bronze, reduced tungsten oxide, reduced molybdenum oxide, tin-based oxide, indium-based oxide, rare earth boride, copper sulfide, titanium nitride, graphene oxide, and carbon black nanoparticles. The hot-end glass (2) is preferably 5mm cesium tungsten bronze coated heat-insulating tempered glass. The cold-end glass (1) can be 5mm ordinary tempered clear glass. The near-infrared absorbing heat-insulating glass is made in various forms and can effectively absorb infrared rays and convert them into heat. Under summer sunlight, the temperature of the hot-end glass can reach 65-80℃, while the temperature of the cold-end glass remains below 35℃, resulting in a temperature difference of more than 30℃. The temperature difference generates electricity with a voltage ≥12V and a current ≥0.3A.

[0027] In this embodiment, the thermally conductive layer (3) is one or more of thermally conductive silicone, thermal grease, and thermally conductive metal. Preferably, a 3mm silicone thermally conductive layer is used.

[0028] In this embodiment, the thermoelectric device (6) refers to one or both of lead telluride (PbTe) and silicon-germanium (SiGe) alloys.

[0029] In this embodiment, the electro-atomizing film (8) refers to either a reverse electro-atomizing film that atomizes when energized and becomes transparent when de-energized, or a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal film.

[0030] The heat-insulating glass, which is the hot end of the thermoelectric system, absorbs near-infrared rays and generates electricity from the temperature difference between the cold end glass and the heat-insulating glass under solar radiation. The transformer energy storage control element (5) stores the electrical energy in the energy storage unit. The transformer energy storage control element (5) can be placed inside the window profile cavity. The temperature sensor is attached to the inner edge of the hot end glass. When the surface temperature of the glass is lower than the set threshold, the smart window is in a transparent heat-insulating and sun-proof state. When the surface temperature reaches the set threshold, the temperature sensor is turned on, driving the electro-fogging film to atomize, thereby achieving passive heat insulation enhancement of the window. The set electronic control switch can manually control the atomization / transparent state, thereby achieving active heat insulation and privacy enhancement of the window. After atomization, the film surface undergoes diffuse reflection, which can reflect most of the visible light and a small amount of near-infrared rays. This reflection effect further enhances the heat insulation performance and can significantly reduce the temperature of the inner cold end glass, increasing the power generation temperature difference and thus increasing the power generation, which has a positive gain effect.

[0031] join Figure 4 The heat-insulating smart window of this invention has a visible light transmittance ≥65%, an infrared blocking rate ≥97%, and an ultraviolet blocking rate ≥98%. After intelligent atomization, the visible light transmittance is ≤8%, the infrared blocking rate is ≥99%, the ultraviolet blocking rate is ≥99%, and the visible light adjustment is ≥57%. The number of cycles can exceed 50,000.

[0032] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Any equivalent substitutions or modifications made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in the present invention, based on the technical solution and inventive concept of the present invention, should be covered within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A thermoelectric-electro-atomization synergistic enhanced thermal insulation smart window, comprising a cold-end glass (1), a hot-end glass (2), a thermoelectric device (6), an electro-atomizing film (8), an energy storage unit, a controller, and a temperature measuring unit for monitoring the temperature of the hot-end glass (2), wherein the hot-end glass (2) and the cold-end glass (1) are encapsulated and connected by a spacer strip (7), characterized in that, The thermoelectric device (6) is tightly connected to the hot end glass (2) and the cold end glass (1) respectively through the heat-conducting layer (3). The electro-atomizing film (8) is attached to the inside or outside of the cold end glass (1). The thermoelectric device (6) generates electricity based on the temperature difference between the hot end glass (2) and the cold end glass (1). The thermoelectric device (6) is connected to the energy storage unit. The controller is connected to the temperature measuring unit, the energy storage unit and the electro-atomizing film (8).

2. The thermoelectric-electro-atomization synergistic enhanced thermal insulation smart window according to claim 1, characterized in that, Several thermoelectric devices (6) are connected in series, in parallel or in a combination of series and parallel.

3. The thermoelectric-electro-induced atomization synergistic enhanced thermal insulation smart window according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes transformers, and the transformer, energy storage unit and controller are integrated into a transformer energy storage control element (5).

4. The thermoelectric-electro-atomization synergistic enhanced thermal insulation smart window according to claim 1, characterized in that, The hot end glass (2) is a near-infrared absorbing heat insulation glass.

5. The thermoelectric-electro-atomization synergistic enhanced thermal insulation smart window according to claim 1, characterized in that, The near-infrared absorbing heat-insulating glass (2) refers to a heat-insulating coating, coated glass, laminated glass, or bulk phase distributed glass containing one or more of the following: tungsten bronze, reduced tungsten oxide, reduced molybdenum oxide, tin-based oxide, indium-based oxide, rare earth boride, copper sulfide, titanium nitride, graphene oxide, and carbon black nanoparticles.

6. The thermoelectric-electro-induced atomization synergistic enhanced thermal insulation smart window according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermally conductive layer (3) is one or more of thermally conductive silicone, thermal grease, and thermally conductive metal.

7. The thermoelectric-electro-atomization synergistic enhanced thermal insulation smart window according to claim 1, characterized in that, The controller controls the energy storage unit to supply power to the electro-atomizing membrane (8) based on the temperature data collected by the temperature measurement unit and according to the set trigger temperature threshold, or manually controls the energy storage unit to supply power to the electro-atomizing membrane (8).

8. The thermoelectric-electro-atomization synergistic enhanced thermal insulation smart window according to claim 1, characterized in that, The thermoelectric device (6) refers to one or both of lead telluride and silicon-germanium alloy.

9. The thermoelectric-electro-atomization synergistic enhanced thermal insulation smart window according to claim 1, characterized in that, The electro-atomizing film (8) refers to either a reverse electro-atomizing film that atomizes when energized and becomes transparent when energized, or a polymer-dispersed liquid crystal film.

10. A method for controlling a thermoelectric-electro-induced atomization synergistically enhanced heat insulation smart window, characterized in that, Thermoelectric devices connect the cold and hot end glass, generating electricity based on the temperature difference and storing it in the energy storage unit. A temperature sensor is used as a smart switch. When the surface temperature of the hot end glass is lower than a set threshold, the smart window is in a transparent, heat-insulating, and sun-protective state. When the surface temperature reaches the set threshold, it conducts electricity to drive the electro-fogging film to fog up, or the controller can manually control the energy storage unit to supply power and drive the electro-fogging film to fog up.

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