Composite Pane Conductor Carrier for Robust Contact

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing composite pane elements with partially electrically controllable light transmission properties are difficult to reproduce and lack robustness due to manual manufacturing processes and prone to contact point failures.

Innovation Solution

A composite pane element with a conductor carrier having multiple contact areas that simultaneously contact all functional zones, enhancing reproducibility and robustness, and a method involving a conductor carrier with line elements and contact areas to connect functional zones within the pane elements, allowing for machine production and improved durability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual production with individual copper adhesive tape and soldering is used for each functional zone, then contact robustness can be achieved, but manufacturing time and cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact robustnessVSAvoidmanufacturing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual contact operations into a single integrated conductor carrier that contacts all functional zones simultaneously. The conductor carrier with multiple contact areas replaces the need for separate copper adhesive tapes and soldering operations for each functional zone, achieving both robust contact and high-speed automated manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conductor carrier is pre-fabricated with multiple contact areas in the correct positions before assembly. This preliminary preparation allows all contact points to be established in a single operation during panel assembly, eliminating the need for sequential manual contact operations and enabling automated production while maintaining contact reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If manual production processes are used for contacting functional zones, then contact precision can be achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact precisionVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor carrier integrates multiple contact areas into a single component structure, reducing manufacturing complexity by eliminating the need for separate handling and positioning of multiple individual contact elements. The unified structure maintains precise contact alignment while simplifying the overall manufacturing process for automated production.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If bonded contact tabs are used for each functional zone, then individual zone contact is achieved, but contact robustness decreases due to tearing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact application easeVSAvoidcontact robustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The conductor carrier combines multiple contact areas into a single rigid structure that distributes mechanical stress across all contact points simultaneously. This eliminates the vulnerability of individual bonded tabs that can tear, as the distributed contact structure prevents localized stress concentration while maintaining ease of application through single-step installation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 enables easy, cost-effective, and robust production of composite pane elements with individually controllable light transmission properties, improving reproducibility and mechanical stability while simplifying the connection to control devices.

Implementation Method 1

a functional element arranged in the intermediate space, which comprises at least two functional zones, the light transmission properties of which can be individually changed upon application of an electrical voltage to the functional zone

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrochromism: Electrochromism

Data Source

PatentEP3839616B1Composite panel element, window comprising the same and method for the production thereof
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 REHAU IND SE & CO KG
  • EP3839616B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3839616B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present invention relates to a composite disc element (1) with electrically controllable light transmission properties, comprising a first disc element (2) and a second disc element (3), wherein a space (6) is located between the first disc element (2) and the second disc element (3); and comprising a functional element (4) arranged in the space (6), comprising at least two functional zones (7, 7', 7", 7"'), the light transmission properties of which can be individually changed when an electrical voltage is applied to the functional zone (7, 7', 7", 7"') and each functional zone (7, 7', 7", 7"') comprises a contact point (8, 8', 8", 8"');wherein the composite disc element (1) according to the invention is characterized in that it further comprises a conductor carrier (5) which comprises at least one number of contact areas (12, 12', 12", 12"') corresponding to the number of functional zones (7, 7', 7", 7"') and a conductor element (11, 11', 11", 11'") assigned to each contact area (12, 12', 12", 12'"), wherein each contact point (8, 8', 8", 8'") of the functional element (4) is contacted by a contact area (12, 12', 12", 12'") of the conductor carrier (5). Furthermore, the present invention relates to a window (100) comprising a window frame (101) and at least one such composite pane element (1) received therein, and to a method for manufacturing such a composite pane element (1).