Functionalized Glass Coating with Segmented Silver Layers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Functionalized glass surfaces in buildings and vehicles face challenges in achieving high thermal performance and aesthetic appeal, as thicker metallic functional layers reduce light transmission and increase interior reflection, leading to poor thermal performance and aesthetic discomfort, while thinner layers compromise selectivity and neutral color appearance.
Innovation Solution
A stack of layers comprising three silver-based metallic functional layers and four dielectric layers, with specific thickness ratios and optical thicknesses, is deposited on a transparent substrate, optimizing light transmission, solar factor, and color reflection to achieve high selectivity and neutral color appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If thicker metallic functional layers are used to reduce solar factor and improve thermal performance, then light transmission decreases and internal reflection increases, compromising aesthetic appearance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single metallic functional layer into three separate silver-based metallic functional layers (F1, F2, F3) with specific thickness ratios. This segmentation allows each layer to contribute differently to optical properties, achieving a solar factor ≤30% while maintaining light transmission ≥45% and internal reflection ≤23%, thus resolving the contradiction between thermal performance and aesthetic appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines three silver-based metallic functional layers with four dielectric layer assemblies to create a composite stack structure. This composite design enables synergistic optimization where the metallic layers provide thermal control and the dielectric layers enhance optical performance, achieving both high thermal performance (selectivity ≥1.7) and aesthetic quality (neutral color, glossy appearance).
2Force
If thicker metallic functional layers are deposited to increase external reflection and neutral color appearance, then internal reflection increases creating mirror effect, reducing aesthetic comfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different thickness specifications to different metallic layers: F1 and F2 have controlled thicknesses (EF1/EF2 ratio between 0.95-1.05) to optimize external reflection and neutral color, while F3 has greater thickness (EF3 > EF1 and EF3 > EF2) to control internal reflection. This local differentiation achieves external reflection ≥28% with internal reflection ≤23%, eliminating the mirror effect while maintaining aesthetic quality.
3Illumination intensity
If thinner metallic functional layers are used to maintain high light transmission, then solar factor increases, reducing thermal performance
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the metallic functional layers into three distinct layers (F1, F2, F3) with optimized thickness ratios, the patent achieves superior optical control compared to single or double layers. The specific configuration (EF1/EF2 ratio between 0.95-1.05, EF3 > EF1 and EF3 > EF2) enables the stack to achieve solar factor ≤30% while maintaining light transmission ≥45%, outperforming conventional single-layer designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The combination of three silver-based metallic layers with four dielectric layer assemblies creates a composite structure that enhances thermal performance without compromising light transmission. The dielectric layers amplify the optical control capabilities of the metallic layers, achieving selectivity ≥1.7 and solar factor ≤30% while maintaining light transmission ≥45%, which would be unattainable with metallic layers alone.
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 achieves a balance of high thermal performance, with a solar factor of at least 25 and selectivity of 1.8, along with a neutral color appearance, reducing interior light reflection to less than 23% and maintaining exterior light reflection of at least 28%, enhancing both thermal efficiency and aesthetic comfort.
Implementation Method 1
functional layers designed to act on solar and/or infrared radiation that may strike said surface
Implementation Method 2
reduce the amount of energy transmitted through the glazing to the interior
Implementation Method 3
four dielectric layer assemblies E1, E2, E3 and E4... optical thicknesses EO1, EO2, EO3 and EO4 respectively
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a material comprising a transparent substrate, on the surface of which a stack of layers is deposited which comprises a plurality of functional layers making it possible to act on the solar and/or infrared radiation likely to strike said surface. The material of the invention has a high thermal performance and, aesthetically, a neutral-color glossy surface appearance.