Glazing Unit Optical Element with Perforated Shading

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for integrating optical elements in insulated glazing units either compromise the optical path of light or suffer from inefficiencies in solar energy transmittance and maintenance issues, such as with fully laminated solar screens or interior shading devices.

Innovation Solution

A glazing unit with an optical element having a plurality of perforations and a non-perforated area, where the perforations are not filled with adhesive, allowing for selective light transmission based on angle of incidence, and the optical element is attached to the glass panes using an adhesive that covers only a part of the non-perforated area, providing improved shading and reduced heating.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the optical element is fully laminated between glass panes, then the optical element is securely fixed and protected, but the adhesive fills the perforations and compromises the optical path and light transmission angles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing securityVSAvoidlight transmission quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element is segmented into a non-perforated area for adhesive application and fixation, and perforated areas for light transmission. The adhesive is applied in a segmented manner only in the non-perforated area, leaving the perforations open to maintain optical path integrity while providing secure fixation in the non-perforated region

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different areas of the optical element have different properties: the non-perforated area provides structural support and adhesive bonding, while the perforated areas maintain optical transparency and light transmission. The adhesive is locally applied only where structurally necessary, not compromising the optical function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If interior shading devices are used, then light blocking is effective, but thermal effectiveness is poor as solar radiation transforms into heat on the shading device surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight blocking efficiencyVSAvoidthermal effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The solution moves from two-dimensional surface shading (where heat accumulates on the shading device surface) to a three-dimensional approach where the optical element with perforations allows selective light blocking while maintaining thermal effectiveness through the glass panes' inherent thermal properties

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Loss of energy

If exterior shading devices are used, then solar energy transmission is reduced effectively, but maintenance and cleaning requirements increase along with mechanical failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesolar energy reductionVSAvoidmaintenance requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element with shading function is merged with the glazing unit itself, becoming an integral part of the window assembly. This combination eliminates the need for separate exterior shading devices that require maintenance, while maintaining the solar energy reduction function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The glazing unit with integrated optical element provides self-service by incorporating the shading function directly into the window structure, eliminating the need for external maintenance and cleaning operations on separate shading devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Loss of energy

If tinted or coated glass panes are used, then radiation reduction is achieved, but the perception of color and light quality is affected

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveradiation reductionVSAvoidcolor perception quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The optical element is segmented into non-perforated areas for shading and perforated areas for light transmission, allowing selective blocking of solar radiation while maintaining natural light quality and color perception through the perforations, unlike uniform tinting that affects all wavelengths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The optical element uses a porous/perforated structure to selectively filter solar radiation while allowing visible light to pass through, maintaining color perception quality unlike solid tinted glass that uniformly absorbs light across all wavelengths

Inventive Principle:
Principle #31Porous materials

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 reduces solar energy transmittance, maintains better optical quality, and eliminates maintenance needs, while allowing for efficient shading of direct solar radiation and neutral color rendering, enhancing energy efficiency and visual appearance.

Implementation Method 1

wherein the optical element is arranged between the two glass panes by means of an adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

the perforations have a depth/width ratio that allows for passage of light with given angles of incidence, while light having other angles of incidence are unable to pass though the perforations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through geometric aperture: Geometry

Implementation Method 3

the non-perforated area prevents penetration of light in a building where the insulated glazing unit is mounted

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight blocking: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP2427789B1Glazing unit with optical element
Publication Date: 2017.10.11 PHOTOSOLAR
  • EP2427789B1 patent drawingFigure 1a~1c
  • EP2427789B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP2427789B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3f

AI summary

Disclosed is a method for integrating at least one optical element inside an insulated glazing unit comprising at least two glass panes, where the optical element has a plurality of perforations and a non-perforated area, where the non-perforated area prevents penetration of light in a building where the insulated glazing unit is mounted, and where the perforations have a depth/width ratio that allows for passage of light with given angles of incidence, while light having other angles of incidence are unable to pass though the perforations, which provides a shading effect, and wherein the optical element is arranged between the two glass panes by means of an adhesive, and where the adhesive is substantially not present in the perforations of the optical element.