Electrochromic Composite Pane Infrared Protection Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electrochromic materials in composite panes often shift transmittance spectra into the infrared range when transitioning between bright and dark states, leading to increased thermal radiation and discomfort for vehicle occupants.
Innovation Solution
A composite pane with an electrochromic functional element and an infrared protection layer containing a silver-containing layer, which blocks infrared radiation while allowing visible light to pass, ensuring lower total solar energy transmittance and energy transmittance in the darkened state compared to the bright state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If electrochromic materials are used to reduce light transmittance in the visible range, then visible light blocking is improved, but infrared radiation transmittance increases causing thermal irritation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the spectral control function into two separate layers: the electrochromic functional element controls visible light transmittance, while the infrared protection layer independently controls infrared radiation. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific wavelength range without interfering with the other, resolving the contradiction between visible light blocking and infrared radiation control.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared protection layer acts as an intermediary element that specifically targets infrared radiation while being combined with the electrochromic functional element. This intermediary layer prevents infrared radiation from entering the vehicle interior even when the electrochromic material is in its darkened state, thus eliminating thermal irritation without compromising visible light control.
2Illumination intensity
If electrochromic functional element is darkened to block visible light, then light transmittance is reduced, but total solar energy transmittance and energy transmittance increase due to infrared shift
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the energy control function by wavelength: the electrochromic functional element handles visible light transmittance reduction, while the infrared protection layer independently manages infrared energy transmittance. This ensures that total solar energy transmittance is reduced in both bright and darkened states, eliminating the energy loss contradiction.
Solution Approach 2:
The infrared protection layer changes the energy transmittance parameters across different wavelengths. It maintains low infrared transmittance regardless of the electrochromic element's state, ensuring that total solar energy transmittance remains low in both bright and darkened states, thus resolving the energy loss issue.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If infrared protection layer with silver-containing layer is added to block infrared radiation, then thermal comfort is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The infrared protection layer with silver-containing layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it blocks infrared radiation, maintains visible light transmittance, and works synergistically with the electrochromic functional element. This multi-functionality justifies the added structural complexity by delivering comprehensive optical control across multiple wavelength ranges.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials approach by combining the electrochromic functional element with the infrared protection layer containing silver-containing layer. This composite structure integrates different material properties to achieve both visible light control and infrared radiation blocking, making the increased device complexity worthwhile for the enhanced thermal comfort and optical performance.
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 thermal irritation by reducing infrared radiation entry, enhancing thermal comfort and reducing heat transfer through the pane, even when the electrochromic element is in the darkened state.
Implementation Method 1
Electrochromic functional elements change from darkened to bright states by means of reversible redox reactions
Implementation Method 2
The infrared protection layer blocks infrared radiation and allows visible light to pass
Implementation Method 3
The infrared protection layer interacts with the electrochromic functional element such that the total solar energy transmittance TTS through the composite pane (100) in the darkened state is lower than in the bright state
Data Source
AI summary
A composite pane includes outer and inner panes joined via an intermediate layer, an electrochromic functional element with electrically controllable optical properties within the intermediate layer, wherein the total solar energy transmittance in the darkened state is higher than in the bright state and/or the energy transmittance in the darkened state is higher than in the bright state, and an infrared protection layer having at least one silver-containing layer and arranged on an interior-side surface of the inner pane facing the intermediate layer, on an interior-side surface of the outer pane facing the intermediate layer, or within the intermediate layer. The infrared protection layer interacts with the functional element such that the total solar energy transmittance through the composite pane in the darkened state is lower than in the bright state and/or the energy transmittance through the composite pane in the darkened state is lower than in the bright state.