Double Glazing with Dichroic Filters and Luminous Cascades
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing double glazing solutions for buildings do not effectively combine high photovoltaic efficiency with transparency, often masking visibility or not optimizing photovoltaic cell performance.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of double-glazed bays with transparent sheets treated to reflect specific wavelengths and produce multiple internal reflections, incorporating photovoltaic cells coated with luminous cascades and dichroic filters to enhance photoelectric conversion, while maintaining transparency and visibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If photovoltaic cells are arranged between glass sheets in conventional double glazing, then photovoltaic power generation is achieved, but visibility is masked and transparency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by positioning photovoltaic cells only in the lateral margins (rabbets) of the double glazing assembly, leaving the central glass area transparent and visible. This localized placement allows the system to generate electricity at the edges while preserving optical clarity through the main viewing area, thus resolving the contradiction between power generation and visibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar arrangement of photovoltaic cells to a three-dimensional configuration where cells are mounted vertically on the lateral rabbets. This dimensional change allows the photovoltaic elements to occupy the edge space without blocking the central optical path, simultaneously achieving power generation and maintaining transparency.
2Power
If photovoltaic cells are coated with luminous cascade materials, then photoelectric conversion efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite materials by coating photovoltaic cells with luminous cascade materials that convert high-energy photons to lower-energy photons matching the cell's absorption spectrum. This composite approach enhances photoelectric conversion efficiency by optimizing the spectral match between sunlight and the photovoltaic material, while the coating is applied as an integrated layer rather than a separate complex assembly.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the optical properties of the photovoltaic cells through luminous cascade coatings. The coating materials are selected to specific absorption and emission wavelengths that match the photovoltaic cell's spectral response, thereby optimizing the conversion efficiency parameter without fundamentally changing the cell structure.
3Power
If transparent sheets are treated to reflect specific wavelengths, then spectral response of photovoltaic cells is optimized, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-coating the transparent glass sheets with dichroic reflective materials during the glass manufacturing process. This preliminary treatment ensures that the glass arrives at the assembly stage with the required spectral reflection properties already integrated, eliminating the need for post-assembly coating operations and simplifying the overall manufacturing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the function of the transparent sheet with the spectral filtering function by integrating dichroic coatings directly onto the glass during manufacturing. This combination creates a single component that provides both structural transparency and spectral optimization, reducing the total number of separate layers and simplifying assembly.
4Power
If multiple internal reflections are produced in transparent sheets, then photovoltaic cell sensitivity is enhanced, but light transmission and visibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by directing multiple internal reflections only toward the photovoltaic cells positioned in the lateral rabbets, while allowing direct light transmission through the central glass area. This segmented approach ensures that enhanced sensitivity is provided where photovoltaic cells are located, without compromising visibility through the main transparent area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by implementing wavelength-selective reflection that enhances sensitivity locally at the photovoltaic cell positions while maintaining overall light transmission. The dichroic coatings are designed to reflect specific wavelengths toward the cells without blocking the entire spectrum, thus improving cell response while preserving general visibility.
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
This approach achieves a photoelectric gain of up to twice that of conventional systems, with optimized spectral response and increased electrical power delivery, while maintaining the functionality of conventional double glazing.
Implementation Method 1
the transparent sheets are treated to at least partially reflect the wavelengths in at least one of the bands between 750 and 950 nm, 600 to 750 nm, or 800 to 950 nm
Implementation Method 2
incorporating photovoltaic cells coated with luminous cascades and dichroic filters to enhance photoelectric conversion
Implementation Method 3
the transparent sheets are treated to produce multiple internal reflections in the range of greatest sensitivity of the photovoltaic cells
Implementation Method 4
the photovoltaic cells are coated with a luminous cascade
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The present invention relates to a rack with double photovoltaic glazing including a frame with a rabbet, said rabbet containing at least two substantially parallel transparent sheets, i.e. a front sheet intended for receiving sunlight and a rear sheet, characterised in that the double-glazed rack includes photovoltaic cells located at the back of the rabbet and a coating made of a material forming a cascade of light.