Insulating Glass Unit with Electrostatic Polymer Shade
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current window technologies fail to effectively balance energy efficiency and human comfort, leading to excessive heating and cooling costs, while also not fully utilizing solar gain and daylight, and lack dynamic insulation and aesthetic appeal.
Innovation Solution
An insulating glass unit with a dynamically controllable shade system, featuring conductive coatings, dielectric films, and a polymer substrate shutter that can be extended or retracted via an electric potential difference, allowing for selective control of radiation transmission and aesthetic customization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If static low-emissivity coatings are used to reduce U-value, then energy insulation is improved, but dynamic adaptability and aesthetic appeal deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by using a polymer substrate that can change its physical state between extended and retracted configurations. This allows the shading system to dynamically adapt to different environmental conditions and user preferences, resolving the contradiction between static insulation performance and dynamic adaptability. The polymer substrate's ability to transform from one state to another enables the system to optimize both energy efficiency and aesthetic appeal at different times.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by utilizing an electric potential difference to alter the physical state and position of the polymer substrate. By changing the electrical parameter (applying voltage), the system transforms the polymer from a retracted to an extended state, thereby changing its optical and insulating properties. This enables dynamic control over solar gain and aesthetic appearance while maintaining energy efficiency.
2Illumination intensity
If architectural windows are increased to provide natural light and access, then human comfort is improved, but energy waste increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by enabling the polymer substrate to be extended during periods of excessive solar radiation and retracted during periods when natural light is beneficial. This periodic switching between states allows the system to capture natural light when needed while blocking solar heat gain when it becomes excessive, thereby resolving the contradiction between providing natural illumination and preventing energy waste.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms through sensors that detect environmental conditions such as solar radiation intensity, temperature, and user preferences. This feedback information is used to automatically control the extension and retraction of the polymer substrate, ensuring optimal balance between natural light provision and energy conservation without requiring constant manual intervention.
3Loss of energy
If dynamic shade systems are implemented to control solar gain, then energy efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical actuation systems with an electric field-based actuation mechanism. Instead of using motors, gears, or other mechanical components to extend and retract the shade, the system uses an electric potential difference to directly actuate the polymer substrate. This substitution dramatically reduces device complexity while maintaining the dynamic control capability needed for energy efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin polymer substrate as the shading element, which can be extended or retracted without requiring complex mechanical structures. The flexible nature of the polymer film allows it to be controlled by electrical fields and to provide effective shading when extended, while its thin profile and simplicity reduce overall device complexity compared to traditional rigid shade systems.
4Loss of energy
If thin film coatings are applied to reduce solar heat gain, then cooling costs are reduced, but aesthetic appeal and privacy control are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by enabling the polymer substrate to transition between extended and retracted states, allowing the system to provide aesthetic appeal and privacy control when extended, while minimizing impact on natural light when retracted. This dynamic capability resolves the contradiction between reducing cooling costs through solar blockage and maintaining aesthetic versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The polymer substrate can exhibit different optical properties and aesthetic appearances depending on its extended or retracted state. When extended, it provides visual interest and privacy control; when retracted, it allows natural light transmission. This ability to change its visual presentation based on operational state maintains aesthetic appeal while achieving energy efficiency.
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 provides improved energy efficiency by dynamically controlling solar gain, reducing energy costs, and offering aesthetic appeal through adjustable shading and light management, while maintaining low power consumption and long operational life.
Implementation Method 1
a polymer substrate which is extendible to serve as a shutter closed position and retractable to serve a shutter open position in response to an electric potential difference
Implementation Method 2
a dielectric or insulator film provided, directly or indirectly, on the first conductive coating
Implementation Method 3
first and second conductive coatings, first and second electrically conductive bus bars, first and second patterns of conductive frit
Implementation Method 4
A spacer system helps to maintain the first and second substrates in substantially parallel spaced apart relation to one another
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 4~5
Figure 6a~6b
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. Holes, invisible to the naked eye, may be formed in the polymer. Those holes may be sized, shaped, and arranged to promote summertime solar energy reflection and wintertime solar energy transmission. The conductor may be transparent or opaque. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances.