Active Glazing Display Area for Integrated Switching and State Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing active glazing technologies require complex attachment and adaptation of switching and display devices to dielectric materials, making them costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
Integration of an electrically conductive coating with an active layer structure, insulated regions, and a display area, where the display area is a maximum of 1/10 of the glazing's total area, allowing independent switching and information display about the glazing's state, using conductive materials like silver and zinc oxide, and applying electrodes with specific shapes and thicknesses for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If switching and display devices are attached to dielectric materials, then display and switching functions are achieved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the display device and switching device into a single integrated structure where the display device is formed directly on the dielectric material surface. The housing combines both display and switching functionalities, eliminating the need for separate attachment of these components. This integration directly reduces device complexity while maintaining both display and switching functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The housing structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, houses the display device, contains the switching mechanism, and facilitates electrical connections. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components for each function, reducing overall device complexity and manufacturing steps.
2Adaptability or versatility
If switching and display devices are attached to dielectric materials, then display and switching functions are achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
By combining display and switching devices into a single integrated housing, the patent reduces the number of manufacturing steps. Instead of separately manufacturing and attaching multiple components, the integrated structure can be produced as a single unit or pre-assembled module, significantly reducing labor and assembly costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the complex system into a modular integrated housing that can be manufactured separately and then attached as a single unit to the dielectric material. This segmentation reduces manufacturing complexity by allowing specialized production of the housing module using optimized processes, then simplifying the final assembly step.
3Loss of information
If display areas are added to active glazing, then information display capability is improved, but the area available for active glazing function is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating display and switching functions in specific localized areas (the housing structure) rather than distributing them across the entire glazing surface. This allows the majority of the glazing area to remain dedicated to its primary active glazing function, while small localized regions provide information display and control capabilities.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables a simple, cost-effective integration of display and switching functions within the glazing, providing rapid state changes in the display area while maintaining the functionality of the remaining glazing, with improved sensitivity and reaction times.
Implementation Method 1
an array of two electrodes creates an electric field through dielectric material. If an object approaches the dielectric material, the charge distribution and the resulting electric field are affected. The change in the electrical field can be detected by suitable evaluation electronics
Implementation Method 2
The active layer structure has a switchable electrochromic, light-scattering and/or light-emitting, preferably an electrochromic, function. By applying a voltage to the electrically conductive layers, the properties of the active layer structure with regard to light transmission, light scattering or light emission can be controlled
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an active glazing (I) having an integrated display device, comprising - an electrically conductive coating (1) on a pane (5) - an active layer structure (15) on the electrically conductive coating (1) - another electrically conductive layer (14) on the active layer structure (15) - at least one electrode (2a)(3a) formed by insulation regions (6) in the electrically conductive coating (1) and - a display surface (16) formed by at least one electrode (2a)(3a), wherein the sum of the display surfaces (16) equals no more than 1/10 of the surface of the active glazing (I). The invention further relates to a method for activating and deactivating an active glazing (I) and to the use thereof.