Building Sun Shielding System with Segmented Glass and Intermediary Gap

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sun ray shielding systems for buildings cause chromatic aberration and unesthetic appearance due to PVD coatings, which also increase costs and fail to adequately shade visible light during summer.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising two glasses, one with a PVD coating-free glass and a sun ray protection device with transparent and blind areas, which reflects near-infrared rays without interfering with visible light, maintaining natural light tone and building appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If PVD coating is applied to glass to reflect near-infrared rays, then temperature increase in building interiors is reduced, but chromatic aberration and unesthetic appearance occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature increase in building interiorsVSAvoidchromatic aberration and unesthetic appearance
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the shielding function into two separate components: a first glass layer with PVD coating that reflects near-infrared rays to reduce heat, and a second glass layer without PVD coating that maintains natural light appearance. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function without the harmful effects of chromatic aberration and unesthetic appearance associated with single-layer PVD coated glass.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary air gap between the first PVD coated glass layer and the second non-coated glass layer. This intermediary space allows the system to achieve both thermal shielding and optical clarity without requiring the PVD coating to directly face the user's view, thereby eliminating chromatic aberration and unesthetic appearance while maintaining heat reflection capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Temperature

If PVD coating is applied to glass to shield sun rays, then temperature control is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetemperature control in building interiorsVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the glass assembly into two separate glass layers, with only the first layer requiring expensive PVD coating. The second layer can be standard transparent glass, reducing overall manufacturing costs compared to coating both layers or using complex multi-layer coated structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies PVD coating only partially to the first glass layer rather than coating all glass surfaces or using excessive coating thickness. This partial application provides sufficient near-infrared reflection for temperature control while minimizing the high manufacturing cost associated with extensive PVD coating.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Temperature

If transparent dielectric coating is used to reflect infrared rays, then overheating is limited, but visible light is not shaded during summer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoverheating limitationVSAvoidvisible light shading during summer
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the optical functions between two glass layers: the first PVD coated layer handles infrared reflection for temperature control, while the second non-coated layer allows visible light transmission. This segmentation enables the system to reflect infrared rays without blocking visible light, solving the contradiction between overheating limitation and summer shading requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

Prevents excessive temperature increase in building interiors while avoiding chromatic aberration and providing aesthetically pleasing shading of visible light, reducing costs associated with PVD coatings.

Implementation Method 1

the PVD coating of the glass behaves as an interferential filter or dichroic filter

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhysical Vapour Deposition: Physical Vapour Deposition

Implementation Method 2

reflecting the component in the near infrared of sun rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 3

a sun ray protection device (4) inserted in the gap (51) between the first glass (2) and the second glass (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption and selective transmission: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP4115044B1A system for shielding a building from sun rays
Publication Date: 2024.04.03 PELLINI SPA
  • EP4115044B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4115044B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4115044B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a system (1) for shielding sun rays comprising: at least a first glass (2); at least a second PVD coating-free glass (3) and associated to the first glass (2) by means of a supporting frame (5) for forming a gap (51); a sun ray protection device (4) inserted in the gap (51), said sun ray protection device (4) defining: - a plurality of transparent areas (41) for letting sun rays pass through, such plurality of transparent areas (41) enabling sun rays to pass with a certain incidence angle while sun rays having other incidence angles are not able to pass through said plurality of transparent areas (41); - a plurality of blind areas (42) configured not to let sun rays pass, such blind areas (42) identifying a first surface (421) facing the second PVD coating-free glass (3) and a second surface (422) opposite to the first surface (421); such plurality of blind areas (42) have a reflection in the visible (ρv) lower than 50% and have an reflection index of sun rays (ρe) higher than the reflection index in the visible (ρv).