Window panel
The window panel uses a light-emitting and reflecting structure with strategically placed openings to ensure privacy by blocking external views while allowing interior visibility, enhancing energy efficiency.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC
- Filing Date
- 2022-04-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-19
AI Technical Summary
Existing window panels that block the line of sight from the outside to the inside also obstruct visibility from the inside to the outside, necessitating a solution that ensures privacy while maintaining interior visibility.
A window panel comprising a light-emitting portion, a light-reflecting layer, and a low-reflectance layer with strategically placed openings, allowing light from the emitting portion to be reflected outward and ensuring visibility through these openings.
The panel effectively blocks the view from outside to inside while maintaining visibility from inside to outside, with the ability to adjust brightness and reduce energy consumption.
Smart Images
Figure 0007861480000001 
Figure 0007861480000002 
Figure 0007861480000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a window panel.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a blind device including an irradiation unit composed of a plurality of LEDs and a screen irradiated with light from the irradiation unit. In this blind device, by brightly illuminating the screen with light from the irradiation unit, the line of sight from the outside at night is blocked, thereby protecting privacy.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the device described in Patent Document 1, by irradiating a screen disposed on a window or the like with a plurality of irradiation units to make it brighter than the interior, the line of sight from the outside to the inside can be blocked. However, in this device, the line of sight from the inside to the outside is also blocked. Therefore, there is a desire to ensure the visibility from the inside to the outside while protecting privacy. Thus, a means that blocks the line of sight from the outside to the inside but does not block the line of sight from the inside to the outside is desired.
[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a window panel that can block the line of sight from the outside to the inside while ensuring the visibility from the inside to the outside.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] (1) A window panel relating to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a light-emitting portion that emits light, a light-reflecting layer that reflects light from the light-emitting portion, and a low-reflectance layer provided on the light-reflecting layer and having a lower light reflectance than the light-reflecting layer. In this window panel, a first opening is formed in both the light-reflecting layer and the low-reflectance layer.
[0007] This window panel is equipped with a light-reflecting layer, which reflects light from the light-emitting part outwards, making the area outside the window panel brighter than the light coming from inside. As a result, this window panel can block the view from outside to inside. On the other hand, this window panel has first openings in both the light-reflecting layer and the low-reflectance layer, allowing visibility from inside to outside through these openings. As a result, this window panel can also ensure visibility from inside to outside. In other words, this window panel can block the view from outside to inside while ensuring visibility from inside to outside. Furthermore, because this window panel is equipped with a light-reflecting layer, even if the brightness of the light from the light-emitting part is reduced, the light reflected by the light-reflecting layer can be made stronger and more efficient than the light coming from inside, thus enabling energy saving.
[0008] (2) The window panel described in (1) above further comprises a diffuser plate that diffuses the light incident from the light-emitting part, and the light-reflecting layer is preferably provided on the diffuser plate and reflects the light diffused by the diffuser plate. In this case, the design of the first opening provided in the window panel becomes more flexible and it becomes easier to improve visibility from the inside to the outside.
[0009] (3) In the window panel described in (2) above, the diffuser plate may have a second opening corresponding to the first opening of the light-reflecting layer and the low-reflectance layer. The light-emitting part has a first light-emitting part and a second light-emitting part, the first light-emitting part may be provided on the first end side of the diffuser plate, and the second light-emitting part may be provided on the second end side opposite to the first end of the diffuser plate. In this case, even if a diffuser plate with low transparency (for example, milky white or frosted glass) is used, sufficient visibility from inside to outside can be ensured.
[0010] (4) In any of the window panels described in (1) to (3) above, it is preferable that the first opening of the light-reflecting layer has an area equivalent to 30% or more of the total surface area of the light-reflecting layer, including the first opening. This ensures more reliable visibility from the inside to the outside.
[0011] (5) In any of the window panels described in (1) to (4) above, the first opening of the light-reflecting layer preferably has a plurality of opening holes, and the diameter of each of the plurality of opening holes or the width of the holes in the longitudinal direction is 15 mm or less. This makes it possible to more reliably ensure visibility from inside to outside while blocking the view from outside to inside.
[0012] (6) Any of the window panels described in (1) to (5) above may further include a first illuminance meter for measuring the illuminance on the outside of the window panel and a second illuminance meter for measuring the illuminance on the inside of the window panel where a low-reflectance layer is placed. This makes it possible to emit light of an appropriate brightness from the light-emitting part based on the brightness inside the room and the brightness outside, and to efficiently block the view from outside into the room. In addition, it is possible to reduce the amount of light emitted from the light-emitting part according to the illuminance measured by the first illuminance meter and the second illuminance meter.
[0013] (7) Any of the window panels described in (1) to (6) above may further include a glass plate, and a diffuser plate may be provided on the glass plate. In this case, the window panel can be used as a window pane as is. [Effects of the Invention]
[0014] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a window panel that can block the view from the outside to the inside while ensuring visibility from the inside to the outside. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a window panel according to the first embodiment of this disclosure. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light guide plate for the window panel shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of the window panel shown in Figure 1 as viewed from the indoor side. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a window panel according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view showing a window panel according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a light guide plate of the window panel shown in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a window panel according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of a light guide plate used for a window panel.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0016] Hereinafter, the window panel according to the embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted as appropriate. The dimensions and dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match the actual dimensions and dimensional ratios. Note that the present invention is not limited by the following description and can be appropriately changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.
[0017] [First Embodiment] Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a window panel according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, the window panel 1 includes a light emitting part 2 that emits light, a diffusion plate 3 that diffuses the light incident from the light emitting part 2, a light reflection layer 4 provided on the diffusion plate 3 and reflecting the light diffused by the diffusion plate 3, and a low reflection layer 5 provided on the light reflection layer 4 and having a lower light reflectance than the light reflection layer 4. In the window panel 1, a plurality of opening holes 4a, 5a (first opening parts) are formed in each of the light reflection layer 4 and the low reflection layer 5.
[0018] The light emitting part 2 is configured to include, for example, one or more LEDs or the like. The light emitting part 2 is arranged at one end of the diffusion plate 3 and is configured to introduce the emitted light into the diffusion plate 3.
[0019] The diffusion plate 3 is a plate-shaped member that has a light guiding function of spreading the light introduced from the light emitting part 2 in the plane direction, and diffuses the spread light and emits it in a direction intersecting the plane direction. The diffusion plate 3 is configured such that the diffused light is emitted (surface emission) toward at least one of the outside of the window panel 1 (the right side in FIG. 1) and the low reflection layer 5 side of the window panel 1 (the left side in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 2, the diffusion plate 3 can diffuse the light guided by providing a specular reflection layer 3a with a predetermined uneven shape on the surface or inside, and emit the light in a direction intersecting the plane direction. Also, the diffusion plate 3 is preferably a transparent member, but may be a translucent (milky white or ground glass-like) member. The diffusion plate 3 can be formed from, for example, acrylic resin, polycarbonate, glass, polystyrene, or urethane.
[0020] The light reflection layer 4 is a layer formed from, for example, a metal layer or a white pigment printed on the diffusion plate 3, and is configured to reflect, for example, 50% or more of the light diffused by the diffusion plate 3 and incident thereon. The light reflection layer 4 may be configured to reflect, for example, 90% or more of the incident light. The light reflection layer 4 also reflects external light. Such a light reflection layer 4 has a number of opening holes 4a. Each of the opening holes 4a has, for example, a circular or elliptical shape as shown in FIG. 3. The number of opening holes 4a may be arranged alternately in a staggered pattern. The diameter or the major axis diameter of each of the opening holes 4a may be 1 mm or more and may be 15 mm or less. Also, the shape of the opening holes 4a is not limited to a circle or the like, and may be a polygon such as a rectangle, a triangle, a star shape, a hexagon, or the like. In this case, the longest width (width in the longitudinal direction) may be 1 mm or more and may be 15 mm or less. Note that the total aperture ratio of the number of opening holes 4a of the light reflection layer 4 may be, for example, 30% or more or 40% or more with respect to the surface area of the entire light reflection layer 4 including all the opening holes 4a.
[0021] The low-reflection layer 5 is a layer formed from, for example, a black pigment or metallic pigment printed on the light-reflecting layer 4, and is a layer that reflects less light (suppresses) than the light-reflecting layer 4. The low-reflection layer 5 reflects only 50% or less of the incident light. By providing the low-reflection layer 5 on the inside of the window panel 1, light from outside can more easily reach the room, thus improving visibility from inside. The low-reflection layer 5, like the light-reflecting layer 4, has a number of openings 5a (first openings). Preferably, the openings 5a are provided in the same position and shape as the openings 4a, but their shapes may be slightly different or their positions may be slightly shifted. Each of the openings 5a is circular or elliptical, for example, as shown in Figure 3. The number of openings 5a may be arranged alternately in a staggered pattern. The diameter or the diameter of the major axis of each opening 5a may be 1 mm or more, or 15 mm or less. Furthermore, the shape of the opening 5a is not limited to circles, but may also be a rectangle, triangle, star, hexagon, or other polygon. In this case, the longest width (width in the longitudinal direction) may be 1 mm or more, or 15 mm or less. The total aperture ratio of the numerous openings 5a in the low-reflection layer 5 may be, for example, 30% or more, or 40% or more, relative to the total area of the entire low-reflection layer 5 including all the openings 5a.
[0022] The usage method of window panel 1 with this configuration is described below. With window panel 1, for example, if it is brighter outside than inside during the day, the light emission from the light-emitting part 2 is stopped (the LED is turned off), and the light-reflecting layer 4 reflects the external light, blocking the view from outside to inside. On the other hand, with window panel 1, for example, at night or when it is dark during the day (for example, on a cloudy day), the light emission from the light-emitting part 2 is emitted (the LED is turned on), and the light from the light-emitting part 2 is reflected outwards by the light-reflecting layer 4. This blocks the view from outside to inside even when it is brighter inside than outside. In addition, this window panel 1 has numerous openings 4a, 5a in the light-reflecting layer 4 and the low-reflectance layer 5. Therefore, visibility from inside to outside can also be ensured.
[0023] As described above, the window panel 1 according to this embodiment is equipped with a light-reflecting layer 4, and by reflecting the light from the light-emitting unit 2 to the outside with the light-reflecting layer 4, the outside of the window panel 1 is made brighter than the light from inside the room. As a result, the window panel 1 can block the view from outside to inside the room. On the other hand, the window panel 1 is provided with openings 4a and 5a in the light-reflecting layer 4 and the low-reflectance layer 5, respectively, so that the outside can be seen from inside the room through the openings 4a and 5a. As a result, the window panel 1 can also ensure visibility from inside to outside. In other words, the window panel 1 can block the view from outside to inside the room while ensuring visibility from inside to outside. Furthermore, because the window panel 1 is equipped with a light-reflecting layer 4, even if the brightness of the light from the light-emitting unit 2 is reduced, the light reflected by the light-reflecting layer 4 can be made stronger more efficiently than the light from inside the room, making it possible to save energy.
[0024] The window panel 1 according to this embodiment further includes a diffuser plate 3 that diffuses the light incident from the light-emitting unit 2, and the light-reflecting layer 4 is provided on the diffuser plate 3 and reflects the light diffused by the diffuser plate 3. In this case, the design of the openings 4a and 5a provided in the window panel 1 becomes flexible, making it easier to improve visibility from the inside to the outside.
[0025] In the window panel 1 according to this embodiment, it is preferable that the openings 4a of the light-reflecting layer 4 have an area equivalent to 30% or more of the total surface area of the light-reflecting layer 4, including all the openings 4a. This ensures more reliable visibility from the inside to the outside.
[0026] In the window panel 1 according to this embodiment, the light-reflecting layer 4 has a plurality of openings 4a, and it is preferable that the diameter of each of the multiple openings 4a or the width of each opening in the longitudinal direction is 15 mm or less. This makes it possible to more reliably ensure visibility from inside to outside while blocking the view from outside to inside.
[0027] [Second Embodiment] Next, with reference to Figure 4, a window panel 1A according to the second embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 4, the window panel 1A, like the window panel 1 of the first embodiment, includes a light-emitting section 2, a diffuser plate 3, a light-reflecting layer 4, and a low-reflectance layer 5. In the window panel 1A, a plurality of openings 4a, 5a are formed in the light-reflecting layer 4 and the low-reflectance layer 5, respectively. The window panel 1A further includes a first illuminance meter 6A and a second illuminance meter 6B. The first illuminance meter 6A is a device for measuring the illuminance outside the window panel 1A and is, for example, placed outside the window in which the window panel 1A is installed. The second illuminance meter is a device for measuring the illuminance inside the window panel 1A where the low-reflectance layer 5 is placed and is placed inside the room. Various types of illuminance meters can be used as the first illuminance meter 6A and the second illuminance meter 6B.
[0028] The first illuminance meter 6A and the second illuminance meter 6B are electrically connected to the light-emitting unit 2. The light-emitting unit 2 may adjust the amount of light emitted from it, or it may switch the illumination by the light-emitting unit 2 ON / OFF, based on the difference between the external illuminance and the internal illuminance measured by the first illuminance meter 6A and the second illuminance meter 6B, respectively.
[0029] As described above, according to the window panel 1A of the second embodiment, in addition to the effects of the window panel 1 described above, it is possible to emit light of an appropriate brightness from the light-emitting unit 2 based on the brightness inside the room and the brightness outside, and to efficiently block the view from outside to inside the room. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the amount of light emitted from the light-emitting unit 2 according to the illuminance measured by the first illuminance meter 6A and the second illuminance meter 6B.
[0030] [Third Embodiment] Next, with reference to Figure 5, the window panel 1B according to the third embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 5, the window panel 1B, like the window panel 1A of the second embodiment, includes a light-reflecting layer 4, a low-reflectance layer 5, a first illuminometer 6A, and a second illuminometer 6B. In the window panel 1B, a plurality of openings 4a, 5a are formed in the light-reflecting layer 4 and the low-reflectance layer 5, respectively. The window panel 1B further includes a first light-emitting unit 2A, a second light-emitting unit 2B, and a diffuser plate 3B. The first light-emitting unit 2A and the second light-emitting unit 2B are light sources similar to the light-emitting unit 2 described above, and are composed of, for example, LEDs. In the window panel 1B, the first light-emitting unit 2A is positioned on one end 3b (first end) side of the diffuser plate 3B, and the second light-emitting unit 2B is positioned on the other end 3c (second end) side of the diffuser plate 3B.
[0031] The diffuser plate 3B of the window panel 1B is a light guide member that has substantially the same configuration and function as the diffuser plate 3 described above. However, the diffuser plate 3B has many openings 3d (second openings) that have the same shape as the multiple openings 4a and 5a. The multiple openings 3d correspond to the multiple openings 4a and 5a. Because the diffuser plate 3B has so many openings, visibility from inside to outside can be improved even if the diffuser plate 3B is not made of a transparent material. In other words, the diffuser plate 3B can also be made of a translucent material. Although there is a risk that the amount of light guided from the light-emitting part may decrease due to the numerous openings provided in the diffuser plate 3B, the window panel 1B suppresses the decrease in the amount of light guided and diffused by providing the first light-emitting part 2A and the second light-emitting part 2B in different locations (for example, on the opposite side).
[0032] When the diffuser plate 3B is provided with a number of openings 3d, as shown in Figure 6, the diffuse reflection layer 3a on the diffuser plate 3B can also be provided on the outside (surface) of the main body of the diffuser plate 3B. In this case, the guided light can be prevented from shining into the room, making it possible to more efficiently block the view from outside into the room. In addition, a transparent sheet may be further provided on at least one of the low-reflection layer 5 and the diffuser plate 3B to prevent dirt from entering the through holes formed by the openings 4a, 5a and 3d.
[0033] As described above, according to the third embodiment of the window panel 1B, in addition to the effects of the window panels 1 and 1A described above, sufficient visibility from the inside to the outside can be ensured even when using a diffuser with low transparency (for example, milky white or frosted glass). Note that the window panel 1B may be configured without at least one (or both) of the first illuminometer 6A and the second illuminometer 6B.
[0034] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, with reference to Figure 7, the window panel 1C according to the fourth embodiment will be described. As shown in Figure 7, the window panel 1C, like the window panel 1B of the third embodiment, includes a first light-emitting section 2A and a second light-emitting section 2B, a diffuser plate 3B, a light-reflecting layer 4, a low-reflectance layer 5, a first illuminometer 6A, and a second illuminometer 6B. Multiple openings 4a and 5a are formed in the light-reflecting layer 4 and the low-reflectance layer 5 of the window panel 1C, and multiple openings 3d are formed in the diffuser plate 3B. The window panel 1C is further provided with a glass plate 7.
[0035] In window panel 1C, a diffuser plate 3B is placed on top of the glass body 7. The glass body 7 may be bonded to the diffuser plate 3B with an adhesive or the like. If a transparent adhesive is used, it may be applied to the entire glass body 7 and bonded to the diffuser plate 3B; if an opaque adhesive is used, it may be applied to the area of the glass body 7 excluding the opening 3d and bonded to the diffuser plate 3B.
[0036] As described above, according to the window panel 1C of the fourth embodiment, in addition to the effects and advantages of the window panels 1, 1A, and 1B described above, the window panel 1C can be used as a window pane as is. It is also possible to fix the window panel 1B, etc., to the sash portion and the window panel instead of providing an additional glass body 7.
[0037] Although embodiments relating to this disclosure have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be applied to various embodiments. For example, the diffusers 3 and 3B used in the above embodiments may be the diffuser 3C shown in Figure 8. In the diffuser 3C shown in Figure 8, the diffuse reflection layer 3a is provided outside the main body of the diffuser 3C, but no opening is provided in the main body itself. By using such a diffuser 3C, it is possible to prevent the guided light from shining into the room, and to more efficiently block the view from outside to inside.
[0038] Furthermore, in all of the embodiments described above, light from the light-emitting part was introduced into the diffuser plate and the diffused light was reflected by the light-reflecting layer 4, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, a light source such as a film-type LED may be used as the light-emitting part, and the light from the light source may be directly reflected by the light-reflecting layer 4. However, in this configuration, multiple openings 4a, 5a are provided in areas where there is no light source such as an LED. This ensures visibility from indoors to outdoors.
[0039] Furthermore, the light-reflecting layer 4 and the low-reflectance layer 5 in the above-described embodiment may be a half-mirror film. Since the half-mirror film is transparent and the bright side becomes a mirror surface, there is no need to provide an opening, and when combined with the light source and diffuser plate described above, it is possible to protect indoor privacy with a simpler structure. [Explanation of symbols]
[0040] 1, 1A, 1B, 1C... Window panel, 2... Light-emitting part, 2A... First light-emitting part, 2B... Second light-emitting part, 3, 3B, 3C... Diffuser plate, 3d... Opening (second opening), 4... Light-reflecting layer, 4a, 5a... Opening (first opening), 5... Low-reflectance layer, 6A... First illuminance meter, 6B... Second illuminance meter, 7... Glass body.
Claims
1. A light-emitting part, A diffuser plate that diffuses the light incident from the light-emitting part, A light-reflecting layer that reflects the light from the light-emitting part, The light-reflecting layer is provided on the light-reflecting layer and comprises a low-reflectance layer having a lower light reflectance than the light-reflecting layer, A first opening is formed in each of the light-reflecting layer and the low-reflecting layer. The light-reflecting layer is provided on the diffuser plate and reflects the light diffused by the diffuser plate, in a window panel.
2. The diffuser plate has a second opening that corresponds to the first opening of the light-reflecting layer and the low-reflectance layer. The light-emitting section comprises a first light-emitting section and a second light-emitting section, wherein the first light-emitting section is provided on the first end side of the diffuser plate, and the second light-emitting section is provided on the second end side of the diffuser plate opposite to the first end side. The window panel according to claim 1.
3. The first opening of the light-reflecting layer has an area equivalent to 30% or more of the total surface area of the light-reflecting layer, including the first opening. The window panel according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The first opening of the light-reflecting layer has a plurality of opening holes, The diameter of each of the aforementioned multiple openings or the width of each opening in the longitudinal direction is 15 mm or less. The window panel according to claim 1 or 2.
5. A first illuminance meter for measuring the illuminance outside the window panel, A second illuminance meter measures the illuminance on the inside of the window panel where the low-reflection layer is located, The window panel according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising the following:
6. It is further equipped with a glass plate, The diffuser plate is provided on the glass plate. The window panel according to claim 1 or 2.
7. A light-emitting part that emits light, A light-reflecting layer that reflects the light from the light-emitting part, A window panel comprising a low-reflectance layer provided on the light-reflectance layer and having a lower light reflectance than the light-reflectance layer, A first opening is formed in each of the light-reflecting layer and the low-reflecting layer. The aforementioned window panel is A first illuminance meter for measuring the illuminance outside the window panel, A second illuminance meter measures the illuminance on the inside of the window panel where the low-reflection layer is located, A window panel that further enhances this feature.