Electrochromic Window Control Device for Rapid Emergency Discharging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochromic window control systems in transportation vehicles, such as aircraft and vehicles, take excessively long to transition from a darkened to a non-darkened state during emergency situations, compromising visibility and safety due to reliance on leakage currents for discharging.
Innovation Solution
A control device that generates a charging current to darken the window and includes means for rapid discharging via a short-circuit or discharging voltage source, triggered by an emergency signal, allowing the window to quickly transition from a darkened to a non-darkened state, potentially within seconds.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the window is kept in the darkened state using leakage currents, then the window maintains its darkened state, but the discharging time during emergency situations becomes excessively long
Solution Approach 1:
A capacitor is introduced as an intermediary energy storage element between the voltage source and the electrochromic window. The capacitor rapidly discharges through the window during emergencies, providing a high current pulse that quickly transitions the window from darkened to clear state, bypassing the slow leakage current limitation
Solution Approach 2:
The system operates in two distinct modes: normal operation using small leakage currents to maintain the darkened state, and emergency operation using rapid capacitor discharge. This periodic switching between operational modes allows the system to optimize for both state maintenance and rapid discharging when needed
2Speed
If a high current is applied to darken the window quickly, then the transition to darkened state is fast, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The capacitor is pre-charged to a high voltage during normal operation, storing energy in advance. When rapid darkening is required, this pre-stored energy is immediately discharged through the window, achieving fast transition without requiring continuous high current draw from the main power source
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on requirements: using small currents for state maintenance and capacitor-based high current pulses for rapid transitions. This dynamic operation allows the system to achieve fast transitions only when necessary, minimizing overall energy consumption
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
Enables rapid transition of electrochromic windows from a darkened to a non-darkened state in emergency situations, significantly improving visibility and safety by reducing discharging time from potentially hours or days to mere seconds.
Implementation Method 1
to initiate this electrochromic effect, the window is therefore subjected to a charging current
Implementation Method 2
The control device has means for generating a charging current, to bring the window from a first state into a second state
Implementation Method 3
the means for discharging the window are formed so as to produce a short-circuit, by way of which the discharging of the window takes place
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a control device for at least one electrochromic window (100, 100.1, 100.2, 100′, . . . ) with means (106, 108) for generating a charging current, to bring the window from a first state into a second state, wherein the window is darker in the second state than in the first state, means (112, 116) for discharging the window, to bring the window from the second state into the first state, wherein the discharging of the window can be triggered by an emergency signal (S1, S2).