A dimming and heat-insulating double-glazed glass and window combining tungsten bronze thin film and solar cells.

Abstract

This application discloses a dimming and heat-insulating double-layer glass combining a tungsten bronze thin film and a solar cell, relating to the field of building energy conservation and renewable energy utilization technology. The double-layer glass is composed of a tungsten bronze thin film layer, a glass layer I, an air interlayer, a glass layer II, and a thin-film solar cell layer. The double-layer glass can switch between winter and summer functions through a mechanical flipping device. In summer, the tungsten bronze thin film absorbs near-infrared radiation to generate heat, the interlayer provides insulation, and the solar cell converts some of the light into electrical energy. In winter, after the glass is flipped, the tungsten bronze layer is on the inside to enhance heat insulation, and the solar cell powers the system. The double-layer glass and glass window provided by this application have both high near-infrared absorption rate and efficient regulation of indoor temperature. At the same time, the manufacturing process of the double-layer glass is simple and the cost is controllable, making it suitable for building doors and windows and glass curtain walls.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The application relates to the field of solar energy utilization technology, and in particular to a smart dimming and heat-insulating double-layer glass that combines a tungsten bronze thin film and a semi-transparent solar cell, and its preparation method. Background Technology

[0002] In modern architecture, windows, as a crucial component, not only provide lighting and ventilation but also play a vital role in building energy conservation and indoor comfort. Traditional architectural glass typically only offers basic functions like good lighting and views, lacking the ability to actively adjust to changes in ambient temperature and effectively utilize solar energy. Especially in summer, intense solar radiation enters the building through windows, causing a significant greenhouse effect and increasing air conditioning load; while in winter, substantial heat loss occurs through windows, leading to increased heating energy consumption. Statistics show that heat loss through windows accounts for approximately 40%-50% of a building's total energy consumption. Reducing this heat loss would undoubtedly significantly improve building insulation performance and reduce heating energy consumption.

[0003] Therefore, how to achieve intelligent control of building windows and efficient utilization of renewable energy has become a key issue that urgently needs to be addressed in the field of green building technology. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the aforementioned issues, this application proposes a multifunctional composite glass window based on the integration of effective temperature regulation and photovoltaic power generation. It innovatively combines spectrally selective control materials, air insulation technology, and flexible photovoltaic cells, and achieves seasonal adaptive adjustment of window functions through an intelligent control system, effectively solving the shortcomings of traditional building windows in terms of thermal performance and energy utilization.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned objectives of this application, the implementation of this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0006] First, this application provides a dimming and heat-insulating double-layer glass that combines a tungsten bronze thin film and a solar cell; the double-layer glass is composed of a tungsten bronze thin film layer, a glass layer I, an air interlayer, a glass layer II, and a thin-film solar cell layer in sequence. The cavity obtained after sealing (e.g., by adhesive) the glass layer I and the glass layer II is the air interlayer.

[0007] In one embodiment of this application, spacer material is provided at the edges of glass layer I and glass layer II to adjust the height of the air gap; in one embodiment of this application, the height of the air gap is 2mm. The air inside the air gap can effectively block heat transfer and enhance the thermal insulation performance of the glass; its height can be adjusted according to actual conditions.

[0008] The aforementioned thin-film solar cells include organic solar cells (OSCS), semi-transparent thin-film solar cells, cadmium telluride, CIGS, etc. The solar cells used in this application have high transmittance in the visible light band and high average transmittance in the near-infrared band, with a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5%. While ensuring indoor lighting needs, they also provide power support for indoor equipment, absorbing some short-wave sunlight and converting it into electrical energy.

[0009] The aforementioned tungsten bronze thin film layer is a tungsten bronze thin film, or it can be obtained by coating tungsten bronze material onto the surface of glass layer I using deposition or sputtering methods. The tungsten bronze thin film layer exhibits excellent spectral selective transmittance characteristics, and its ability to absorb infrared and transmit visible light can be altered by adjusting the thickness of the film, ensuring good light transmittance while effectively absorbing near-infrared radiation in the solar spectrum. Furthermore, the thickness of the aforementioned tungsten bronze thin film layer is 0.12 mm.

[0010] The glass used in the aforementioned glass layer I and glass layer II includes conventional commercially available quartz glass, soda-lime glass, etc.

[0011] Secondly, this application also provides a glass window containing the above-mentioned dimming and heat-insulating double-glazed glass combining tungsten bronze thin film and solar cell; the glass window also includes a connector connected to the double-glazed glass and a flipping device for driving the connector to flip.

[0012] The double-glazed glass and the connector can be fixedly connected or non-fixedly connected (such as by snap-fit). In one embodiment of this application, the connector is a frame fixed to the perimeter of the double-glazed glass, and a groove matching the bottom of a nut is provided in the middle of one side of the frame. After the nut is connected to the output end of the flipping device by a bolt, its bottom connects with the groove in the middle of the connector, thus realizing the linkage with the rudder flipping device. In one embodiment of this application, the flipping device used is a servo motor; in specific implementations, other motors can also be used.

[0013] In actual building applications, the double-glazed windows can be flipped using a flipping device or manually. In winter, the tungsten bronze coating is positioned on the inside, providing excellent indoor insulation. Simultaneously, the outer solar panels continue to absorb solar energy during winter, providing power for emergency power supply or glass flipping operations. In summer, the solar panels are located indoors, generating electricity using the light transmitted through the outer glass.

[0014] The working principle of this system is as follows:

[0015] The double-glazed structure provided in this application has an outer layer of tungsten bronze film. Tungsten bronze is a material with excellent near-infrared absorption capabilities, effectively absorbing near-infrared radiation from the solar spectrum. This radiation is one of the main reasons for increased indoor temperatures in summer and can also be used as part of indoor insulation in winter. The tungsten bronze film can effectively absorb this heat and convert it into thermal energy. The middle layer is an air insulation interlayer. This layer is a key insulation component in the double-glazed structure. Air, due to its low thermal conductivity, is an ideal insulation material, effectively blocking heat conduction and convection.

[0016] Summer Operating Mode: In summer, the air gap prevents the heat absorbed by the outer tungsten bronze film from being transferred indoors, thus enhancing the insulation effect. In practical applications, during summer, the double-glazed windows are used with the tungsten bronze film facing outwards, primarily for insulation and power generation. The tungsten bronze film absorbs near-infrared radiation, and the intermediate air insulation layer further enhances the insulation effect, preventing heat conduction into the room and significantly reducing indoor temperature. The inner transparent thin-film solar cell generates electricity using the visible light portion that penetrates the tungsten bronze film, reducing air conditioning energy consumption and providing renewable energy.

[0017] Winter Operating Mode: In winter, the air gap reduces heat loss from the room, acting as an insulation layer. During winter, a mechanical flipping device rotates the double-glazed windows 180 degrees, placing the tungsten bronze film on the inside. At this time, the high thermal emissivity of the tungsten bronze film makes it an effective internal radiant heater, absorbing as much infrared light as possible from the outside, converting it into heat energy, and radiating it into the room to help maintain the indoor temperature. The intermediate air insulation layer continues to provide insulation, reducing heat loss. Although the solar cells receive less direct sunlight in winter, they can still generate electricity by capturing scattered light, powering the system's flipping mechanism or auxiliary heating equipment, maximizing energy utilization.

[0018] Furthermore, the thickness of the air gap can be adjusted according to actual needs to optimize thermal insulation performance. The inner layer is a translucent thin-film solar cell. This layer integrates light transmission and power generation functions, using thin-film solar cells. These cells can convert a portion of the sunlight shining on them into electrical energy while ensuring a certain level of light transmittance, providing clean energy for buildings. Thin-film solar cells are lightweight, flexible, and highly efficient, making them suitable for integration into architectural glass. The integrated electrical energy can be used to power the glass to rotate during seasonal changes, providing indoor heating in winter and cooling in summer, or to power LED lighting.

[0019] This application effectively absorbs and blocks heat radiation in summer, reducing indoor temperature and air conditioning energy consumption. In winter, by reversing the glass structure and placing the insulation layer on the outside, it reduces indoor heat loss and improves insulation performance. Solar cells absorb solar energy and convert it into electricity to power indoor devices (such as LED lights), achieving energy self-sufficiency. Alternatively, it can be used for mechanical control to reverse the glass structure, adapting to different seasonal needs and improving the system's flexibility and practicality.

[0020] Compared with existing technologies, this application has the following innovative advantages:

[0021] (1) Environmental adaptability: The working mode of the window can be adjusted according to seasonal changes through the mechanical reversing device, which enhances the comfort of the living space and the flexibility of energy use.

[0022] (2) Significant energy saving effect: In summer, the indoor temperature is effectively reduced by absorbing infrared rays and the heat insulation layer, reducing the frequency of air conditioning use and reducing air conditioning energy consumption; in winter, the indoor heat loss is reduced by reversing the glass structure, reducing heating energy consumption.

[0023] (3) Energy self-sufficiency: Solar cells can convert solar energy into electrical energy, which not only provides power for the window to rotate to achieve seasonal function switching, but also contributes green energy to indoor lighting, reduces the consumption of traditional energy, reduces carbon emissions, and meets environmental protection requirements.

[0024] (4) Economic benefits: Tests have shown that the double-glazed window can effectively regulate indoor temperature and save air conditioning electricity, thus having significant environmental benefits.

[0025] This application adopts mature coating and solar cell technologies, and the mechanical control system is stable and reliable with a long service life and low maintenance costs. It can be widely used in various buildings such as glass rooms, residences, office buildings, and shopping malls, and has broad market prospects and social benefits in the fields of glass curtain walls, building doors and windows, ecological buildings, and transportation. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the double-layer glass structure prepared in Example 1;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the cross-section of the double-layered glass prepared in Example 1;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the double-layered glass prepared in Example 1 during summer.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the double-layered glass prepared in Example 1 during winter.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the frame (connector) and nut structure;

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the installation of nuts, bolts, and the servo motor;

[0032] Figure 7 A schematic diagram of the structure after the servo motor, nuts, connectors, and double-glazed glass are installed;

[0033] Figure 8 The results of temperature changes in double-glazed glass under simulated summer and winter modes are shown in the examples.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram showing the power generation of the tungsten bronze thin film layer on the outside.

[0035] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram showing the power generation of the solar cell layer on the outside.

[0036] Figure 11 The transmittance of the tungsten bronze thin film layer was measured as an example.

[0037] Figure 12 The transmittance of the solar cell layer was measured as an example.

[0038] 1-Tungsten bronze plastic film layer, 2-Glass layer I, 3-Air interlayer, 4-Glass layer II, 5-Thin film solar cell layer, 6-Spacer material, 7-Connector, 8-Nut, 9-Groove, 10-Bolt, 11-Servo motor. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this application, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Embodiments of this application will be described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0040] The method provided in the embodiments of this application can design different cesium tungsten bronze films as needed to meet different requirements under different sunlight irradiation. The preparation process is reliable and controllable, and the manufacturing process is simple, with the potential for large-scale industrial production and commercial application.

[0041] In this embodiment, the tungsten bronze plastic film was purchased from Shanghai Jiguang Film Co., Ltd., model: ALEF100, thickness: 0.12mm;

[0042] The glass was purchased from Donghai County Yibo Quartz Products Co., Ltd., with a thickness of 1mm.

[0043] The OSCS (organic solar cells) were purchased from Infinity PV in Denmark. The model number is HY-OPV-50-50, and the dimensions are 50×50×0.5mm.

[0044] The servo motor and its matching nuts and bolts were all purchased from Telesky, model MG995.

[0045] Specifically, this application uses the manufacturing and assembly of energy-saving glass as an example for illustration:

[0046] Example 1: Preparation of a dimming and heat-insulating double-layer glass combining tungsten bronze thin film and solar cell

[0047] Take a tungsten bronze plastic film and cut it into a square sheet of 50×50mm×0.12mm (tungsten bronze plastic film layer 1). Then use foam double-sided tape to attach it to a 50×50mm×1mm quartz glass sheet (glass layer I2) for later use.

[0048] Take another clean 50×50mm×1mm quartz glass sheet (glass layer II4), attach OSCS (solar cell layer 5) to it, and lead out the positive and negative electrodes for later use.

[0049] The edges of glass layer I and glass layer II are glued together with two layers of double-sided foam tape (spacer material 6), forming a sealed air gap 3 between the two glass pieces, as shown. Figure 1 As shown, the tungsten bronze plastic film layer and the solar cell layer are located on the outer side. This results in a dimming and heat-insulating double-layered glass combining the tungsten bronze film and the solar cell.

[0050] This embodiment obtains a double-layered glass structure as follows: Figure 1 As shown, its cross-sectional schematic diagram is as follows: Figure 2 As shown.

[0051] The commercially available tungsten bronze thin film used in the embodiments can save manufacturing time and costs. In specific implementations, tungsten bronze slurry can also be used to form a tungsten bronze thin film layer on the glass surface by means of coating or sputtering.

[0052] Alternatively, tungsten bronze film and solar cells can be directly adhered to both sides of commercially available double-glazed windows to obtain a dimming and heat-insulating double-glazed window that combines tungsten bronze film and solar cells.

[0053] Figure 3 and Figure 4 This diagram illustrates the working principle of the double-layered glass under different conditions. In summer, the tungsten bronze film faces outward, and the solar cell faces inward; in winter, the tungsten bronze film faces inward, and the solar cell faces outward. Automatic temperature regulation is achieved by switching between different conditions.

[0054] Example 2: Preparation of a glass window

[0055] The double-layered glass prepared in Example 1 was cured and bonded to the connector 7 using 401 adhesive.

[0056] like Figure 5 As shown, in this embodiment, the connector 7 is a wooden frame (a commercially available wooden board with a thickness of 1mm, which is cut using a laser cutting machine to make an outer frame of 80×70mm and an inner frame of 70×80mm). The middle of one side of the wooden frame is provided with a groove 9 that matches the bottom of the nut 8.

[0057] like Figure 6 As shown, the nut 8 is connected to the output end of the servo motor 11 of the flipping device using bolts 10 that match the nut 8; then the bottom of the nut 8 is connected to the groove 9. The schematic diagram of the connected structure is shown below. Figure 7 As shown. In practice, other connectors (such as bolts, clips, etc.) can also be used to achieve linkage with the servo motor output.

[0058] Connect the positive and negative leads of the solar cell to an external energy storage battery, and then connect it to an external circuit so that electrical energy can be stored and released for subsequent experiments.

[0059] 1. Simulated illumination test experiment:

[0060] To verify the performance of the double-glazed structure under different seasonal conditions, this embodiment tests its thermal insulation and heat preservation performance under standard sunlight irradiation intensity, simulating a real-world environment. The experimental setup consists of a sealed box made of foam material, wrapped in aluminum foil to prevent heat loss or external temperature influence. Inside the simulated chamber, the double-glazed structure is placed on top of the cavity, and a temperature probe is placed inside. The irradiation intensity is 1000 W / m², and the distance between the lamp and the glass is fixed at 26 cm, i.e., the experiment is conducted under standard sunlight irradiation, with temperature monitored every 1 minute.

[0061] The experiment was divided into two groups: Group 1: tungsten bronze thin film facing upwards (simulating summer mode); Group 2: solar cell facing upwards (simulating winter mode). Each experiment lasted 30 minutes, with temperature data recorded every minute.

[0062] 1.1 Experimental Results:

[0063] The experiment recorded temperature change data inside the cavity under two modes, such as Figure 8 As shown:

[0064] With the tungsten bronze thin film facing upwards (simulating summer mode, film-cell): the initial temperature is 20.9℃, which gradually increases over time and eventually stabilizes at around 51.6℃. The relatively flat temperature rise curve indicates that the tungsten bronze thin film effectively absorbs near-infrared radiation and blocks heat transfer into the cavity through the air insulation interlayer.

[0065] Solar cells facing upwards (simulating winter mode, cell-film configuration): e.g. Figure 8 As shown, the initial temperature was 19.2℃, and the temperature rose rapidly, eventually stabilizing at around 58.6℃. The temperature rise curve was relatively steep, indicating that when the tungsten bronze film was facing downwards, its high thermal emissivity enhanced the insulation effect within the cavity, resulting in a higher temperature.

[0066] 1.2 Experimental Conclusions

[0067] Seasonal adaptability of double-glazed windows: Experimental results show that by flipping the double-glazed structure, the functions of summer heat insulation and winter heat preservation can be flexibly switched, which can reduce air conditioning energy consumption and verify the feasibility and practicality of the design.

[0068] Furthermore, the absorption bands of tungsten bronze thin films and solar cells are complementary and do not conflict with each other, ensuring efficient energy utilization.

[0069] This experiment, by simulating real-world environments, verified the performance of the double-glazed structure under different seasonal conditions. The experimental results not only demonstrate the effectiveness of the tungsten bronze film and the air-insulating interlayer, but also provide data support for subsequent optimization designs. Future research can further explore different material combinations, optimization of the air-insulating interlayer thickness, and the integration of intelligent control systems to improve the overall performance and application value of double-glazed glass.

[0070] 2. Combining simulated illumination test data with electrical characteristic tests:

[0071] 2.1 Verification of Seasonal Adaptability Function

[0072] Summer mode (tungsten bronze film on the outer layer):

[0073] like Figure 9 As shown, under near-infrared absorption-dominated conditions, the system exhibits significant thermal barrier performance, with a lower cavity temperature compared to the winter mode. The solar cells can utilize a portion of visible light to generate electricity at a stable level of P=4.04 mW, corresponding to a voltage V=1000mV and a current I=4.038mA. Although the power generation efficiency is limited, indirect energy saving is achieved by reducing the air conditioning cooling load, which aligns with the design expectation of "power generation as a supplement and heat insulation as the main focus".

[0074] Winter mode (solar cells on the outer layer):

[0075] like Figure 10 As shown, when short-wave visible light preferentially acts on the photovoltaic layer, the power generation efficiency is significantly improved, with the power stabilizing at P=5.67 mW, corresponding to a voltage of V=1000mV and a current of I=5.668mA, which is 40.3% higher than the summer mode. At the same time, the cavity temperature increases and is higher than the temperature under the summer mode, verifying the synergistic energy-saving mechanism of "electricity supplementing heat".

[0076] 2.2 Spectral Synergistic Effect Analysis

[0077] Experimental data confirm the spectral complementarity between tungsten bronze thin films and solar cells:

[0078] like Figure 11 As shown, the tungsten bronze thin film (tungsten bronze thin film layer) has a high absorption rate in the near-infrared band (780-2500nm) and a high transmittance in the visible light (380nm to 780nm), which can effectively absorb near-infrared radiation in the solar spectrum while ensuring good light transmission performance.

[0079] like Figure 12 As shown, the thin-film solar cell (thin-film solar cell layer) has a high average transmittance of 24.87% in the visible and near-infrared bands, which avoids energy competition with tungsten bronze. The average transmittance in the near-infrared band is 70.20%, and the photoelectric conversion efficiency reaches 5%, which avoids energy competition and achieves a photoelectric conversion efficiency of 5%.

[0080] The experimental data above demonstrate that the synergistic design of "long-wave thermal insulation-short-wave power generation" prepared in this embodiment enables the system to achieve gradient utilization of energy in both modes.

Claims

1. A dimming and heat-insulating double-layered glass combining a tungsten bronze thin film and a solar cell, characterized in that, The double-layer glass consists of a tungsten bronze thin film layer, glass layer I, an air interlayer, glass layer II, and a thin-film solar cell layer in sequence. The cavity obtained after sealing glass layer I and glass layer II is the air interlayer.

2. The dimming and heat-insulating double-layer glass combining tungsten bronze thin film and solar cell as described in claim 1, characterized in that, A spacer material is provided between glass layer I and glass layer II.

3. The dimming and heat-insulating double-layer glass combining tungsten bronze thin film and solar cell as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The height of the air gap is 2mm.

4. The dimming and heat-insulating double-layer glass combining tungsten bronze thin film and solar cell as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thickness of the tungsten bronze thin film layer is 0.12 mm.

5. The dimming and heat-insulating double-layer glass combining tungsten bronze thin film and solar cell as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The thin-film solar cell is one of the following: organic solar cell, semi-transparent thin-film solar cell, cadmium telluride solar cell, or CIGS thin-film solar cell.

6. A glass window comprising a dimming and heat-insulating double-glazed window with a tungsten bronze thin film and a solar cell as described in any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The glass window is also equipped with a connector for connecting to the double-glazed glass and a flipping device for driving the connector to flip.

7. The glass window as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The connector is a frame fixed to the four edges of the dimming and heat-insulating double-layer glass that combines the tungsten bronze film and the solar cell.

8. The glass window as described in claim 6, characterized in that, The flipping device is a servo motor.

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