Glazing Panel Thin-Film Stack for Condensation Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Double and triple glazings with low thermal transmission coefficients are prone to water condensation on their exterior surfaces, leading to reduced visibility and increased heating costs due to reduced solar heat gain, as existing solutions that minimize condensation often compromise the solar factor.
Innovation Solution
A glazing configuration featuring a glass substrate with a stack of thin layers, including a transparent electroconductive oxide layer, an intermediate layer with a refractive index between 1.40 and 1.55, and a photocatalytic layer with an optical thickness of up to 50 nm, optimized to minimize condensation while maintaining solar energy transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a stack comprising a TCO layer, a blocking layer and a photocatalytic layer is used to reduce water condensation, then condensation resistance is improved, but the solar factor is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the optical thickness of the photocatalytic layer to at most 50 nm and the optical thickness of the intermediate layer within a specific range. This optimization allows the stack to maintain condensation resistance through the photocatalytic and hydrophilic properties while minimizing impact on solar energy transmission by adjusting the optical parameters of each layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material structure consisting of multiple functional layers: a TCO layer for electro-conductivity and low emissivity, an intermediate layer with specific refractive index for optical optimization, and a photocatalytic layer for condensation prevention. The composite structure allows each layer to contribute its specific function while collectively maintaining both condensation resistance and solar factor.
2Reliability
If the thickness of the photocatalytic layer is increased to improve condensation resistance, then condensation resistance is improved, but the solar factor is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the optical thickness of the photocatalytic layer to at most 50 nm and the optical thickness of the intermediate layer within a specific range. This optimization allows the stack to maintain condensation resistance through the photocatalytic and hydrophilic properties while minimizing impact on solar energy transmission by adjusting the optical parameters of each layer.
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 proposed configuration effectively reduces water condensation on the external face of glazings while maintaining a high solar factor, thereby minimizing heat loss and maintaining visibility and energy efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a layer with a low emissivity property, for example a layer of a transparent electro-conductive oxide (TCO) in order to reduce radiative exchanges with the sky
Implementation Method 2
a photocatalytic layer whose thickness optical thickness X is at most 50 nm
Implementation Method 3
an intermediate layer with a refractive index in a range from 1.40 to 1.55 and optical thickness Y
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The subject of the invention is a glazing panel comprising a glass substrate (1) provided on one of its faces, intended to form face 1 of said glazing panel in the use position, with a thin-film multilayer comprising, starting from the substrate (1): a layer (2) of a transparent electroconductive oxide; an intermediate layer (3) having refractive index within a range from 1.40 to 1.5 and an optical thickness Y; and a photocatalytic layer (4), the optical thickness X of which is at most 50 nm, said optical thicknesses X and Y, expressed in nanometres, being such that: 110×e-0.025X ≤ Y ≤ 135×e-0.018X (1)