Electrostatic IG Shade Conductivity Zoning for Extension Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current window technologies fail to effectively balance energy efficiency and human comfort, particularly in insulating glass units, as they lead to excessive heating and cooling while not fully utilizing natural daylight and solar gain, and lack dynamic control for privacy and energy management.
Innovation Solution
The integration of electrically controllable shades within insulating glass units, featuring conductive coatings, dielectric films, and polymer substrates that extend and retract using electrostatic forces, allowing for dynamic control of radiation transmission and privacy, with a focus on reducing energy waste and enhancing aesthetic appeal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If static or passive low-emissivity coatings are used to reduce U-value, then energy insulation is improved, but dynamic control capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by transforming static low-E coatings into dynamically controllable electrostatic shades. The shade system can transition between extended and retracted positions based on applied voltage, enabling dynamic adjustment of radiation transmission while maintaining the insulating properties of the low-E coatings on the glass substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the electrical voltage applied to the conductive coatings on the shade and glass substrates. By changing the voltage parameter, the electrostatic forces are adjusted, allowing the shade to extend or retract, thereby dynamically controlling the level of radiation transmission and energy insulation.
2Loss of energy
If spectrally selective low-E coatings are used to reduce solar heat gain, then cooling energy loss is improved, but flexibility in privacy control is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by creating a movable shade system that can be extended or retracted on demand. This dynamic capability provides flexible privacy control while the spectrally selective low-E coatings on the glass substrates continue to reduce solar heat gain, addressing both energy efficiency and operational flexibility requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the functions of solar heat gain reduction (handled by the spectrally selective low-E coatings on the glass) from privacy control (handled by the movable electrostatic shade). This functional segmentation allows each component to optimize its specific function while working together to solve the overall problem.
3Productivity
If electrostatic forces are increased to improve shade extension speed, then productivity is improved, but control precision near the closed position deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a non-uniform conductive coating pattern on the glass substrate, with different conductivity regions (first, second, and third conductive coatings with different sheet resistances). This allows different zones to provide different levels of electrostatic force, enabling both rapid extension and precise positioning near the closed state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by varying the sheet resistance of conductive coatings in different regions of the glass substrate. By changing the electrical resistance parameter across different zones, the electrostatic force distribution is optimized to provide both high-speed extension and precise control near the closed position.
4Ease of manufacture
If uniform conductive coatings are used across the entire glass surface, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but electrostatic force distribution uniformity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by dividing the glass surface into multiple zones with different conductive coating properties. The first, second, and third conductive coatings are applied to different regions with specific sheet resistance values, creating localized variations in electrostatic force generation to achieve uniform overall force distribution despite manufacturing complexities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes composite materials by combining multiple conductive coating layers with different electrical properties on the same glass substrate. This composite structure of conductive coatings allows for tailored electrostatic force distribution across different regions, balancing manufacturing feasibility with performance requirements.
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 solution provides improved energy efficiency by dynamically controlling radiation transmission, reducing energy consumption, and offering on-demand privacy while maintaining a pleasing aesthetic appearance, thus addressing the limitations of existing window technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The first and/or second conductive coatings are electrically connectable to a power source that is controllable to set up an electric potential difference and create electrostatic forces to drive the polymer substrate to the shutter closed position
Data Source
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AI summary
Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. The shutter extends towards a bottom stopper in a controlled manner by virtue of a conductivity difference that is introduced in an area proximate to the bottom stopper. This conductivity difference affects the electrostatic forces in that area in a manner that can be used to alter shutter extension speed.