Insulating Glazing with Hybrid Low-Emissivity Layers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing insulating glazing technologies face challenges in achieving high light transmission and low thermal emissivity while minimizing reflection and haze, particularly in architectural applications, where the use of multiple glass sheets and complex layer systems increase costs without significant performance gains.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves combining pyrolytic layers with doped tin oxide and cathode sputtering layers, optimized for low emissivity and neutral reflection, along with a high krypton content gas filling, and precise polishing to reduce surface roughness, which are applied to separate sheets of glass to enhance thermal performance and light transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If multiple glass sheets and complex layer systems are used to improve thermal insulating performance, then thermal emissivity is reduced, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the low-emissivity function across two separate glass sheets, each carrying a simplified layer system. Instead of one complex system on a single sheet, the functionality is segmented and distributed, reducing the complexity of individual layer systems while maintaining overall thermal performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines pyrolytic layers and cathode sputtering layers in a hybrid configuration on separate sheets. This merging of different layer deposition techniques allows achieving low emissivity properties without requiring a single complex multi-layer system, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If pyrolytic layers are used to reduce manufacturing cost and increase mechanical resistance, then production cost decreases and mechanical strength increases, but thermal emissivity performance remains much lower than cathode sputtering layers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite layer system combining pyrolytic layers (providing mechanical strength and cost efficiency) with cathode sputtering layers (providing low emissivity performance). This composite approach allows each layer type to contribute its advantageous properties, achieving both cost-effectiveness and thermal performance.
3Loss of energy
If cathode sputtering layers are used to achieve low emissivity, then thermal insulating performance improves, but the layers become fragile and require protective measures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces protective dielectric layers as intermediaries between the fragile cathode sputtering layers and the external environment. These intermediary layers protect the tender sputtering layers from mechanical damage while allowing the low emissivity function to operate effectively.
4Illumination intensity
If glazing is designed for high light transmission to maintain optical quality, then visible light transmission increases, but thermal insulating performance may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical characteristics to different parts of the glazing system. The layer systems are designed to selectively reflect infrared radiation (thermal energy) while transmitting visible light, creating local quality differentiation in the optical properties to simultaneously achieve both light transmission and thermal insulation.
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 configuration achieves a low thermal coefficient U, high light transmission, and minimal haze, allowing for improved energy efficiency and optical quality, surpassing previous double glazing performance thresholds.
Implementation Method 1
layer systems are used comprising one or more metal layers selectively reflecting infrared
Implementation Method 2
layer systems are produced mainly by sputtering techniques
Implementation Method 3
layers obtained by gas pyrolysis
Implementation Method 4
high krypton content gas filling
Implementation Method 5
improved thermal performance
Implementation Method 6
precise polishing to reduce surface roughness
Implementation Method 7
minimal haze
Data Source
Figure 1~3
AI summary
The invention relates to an insulating double glazing comprising a sheet of glass which has on the face (2) an assembly of layers known as low-emissivity layers, produced by sputtering and comprising at least one infrared-reflecting metallic layer, the other glass sheet comprising on the face (4) one or more metal oxide layers deposited by gas pyrolysis, the space located between the sheets being sealed and filled with insulating gas composed of krypton for at least 86% by volume and at most 5% of air, this glazing having a light transmission which is no less than 60% (for thicknesses of the clear glass sheets of 4 mm).