Coated Laser-Transmissive Window With Visible-Light Blocking
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current cover glasses for electronic components, especially those with lasers, lack sufficient optical filter action and mechanical/chemical stability for automotive applications, where they are exposed to harsh conditions such as mechanical stress, moisture, and temperature fluctuations.
Innovation Solution
A window with a vitreous substrate pane coated with a specific composition of colored glass, providing low transmittance in the visible spectral range and high transmittance in the laser wavelength range, combined with a multilayer antireflection coating for enhanced mechanical and chemical stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If filter glasses with high transmittance in laser wavelength range and low transmittance in visible region are used, then optical filter action is improved, but mechanical and chemical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite structure consisting of a colored glass substrate combined with one or more additional coatings layered on its surface. The colored glass provides the optical filter properties (high transmittance at laser wavelength, low transmittance in visible range), while the additional coating(s) provide enhanced mechanical strength and chemical resistance. This composite approach allows both optical performance and durability requirements to be satisfied simultaneously.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If colored glass with low visible transmittance is used, then safety and opacity are improved, but mechanical stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The colored glass substrate provides the necessary optical properties for eye protection and opacity, while the additional coating(s) applied to its surface provide the required mechanical strength. This allows the window to be sufficiently opaque to prevent eye damage while maintaining the mechanical stability needed for automotive applications.
3Strength
If technical glasses without additional coatings are used, then mechanical stability is improved, but optical filter action deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a composite structure where the substrate (which can be a mechanically stable glass) is combined with one or more additional coatings that provide the necessary optical filter properties. This allows the substrate to contribute its mechanical strength while the coating(s) provide the required optical filtering characteristics.
4Ease of manufacture
If a single-layer coating is applied, then manufacturing complexity is reduced, but optical performance and mechanical stability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the protective and functional properties into separate layers: the colored glass substrate provides the optical filter action, while one or more additional coatings provide enhanced mechanical protection. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized for its specific function, achieving both good optical performance and mechanical stability.
Solution Approach 2:
By using a composite structure with multiple layers (colored glass substrate plus additional coating(s)), the patent achieves superior overall performance compared to a single-layer solution. Each layer contributes specific properties, allowing the window to meet both optical and mechanical requirements simultaneously.
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
The solution renders the window opaque to the human eye, prevents eye damage, and ensures high transparency for laser beams while offering improved scratch resistance and thermal stability, making it suitable for harsh automotive environments.
Implementation Method 1
The window within a wavelength range from 400 to 700 nm has an average transmittance τavg, 400 nm to 700 nm of less than 15%, optionally of less than 10%
Implementation Method 2
The transmittance of the window at at least one wavelength within a wavelength range from 875 nm to 1600 nm is at least 75%, optionally 80%, optionally at least 85%, optionally at least 90%, optionally at least 95%, further optionally at least 97%
Data Source
AI summary
A window includes: a vitreous substrate pane forming a substrate, the substrate including at least one surface; and a coating disposed on the at least one surface of the substrate, wherein at least one of:(a) the window within a wavelength range from 400 to 700 nm has an average transmittance τavg,400 nm to 700 nm of less than 15%, where τavg,400 nm to 700 nm is defined asτavℊ,400 n m-700 n m=∫ 400 n m 700 n mτ dλ700 n m-400 n m;and(b) at any wavelength the window has a spectral transmittance of less than 15%,wherein the window at at least one wavelength within a wavelength range from 875 nm to 1600 nm has a transmittance of at least 75%.