Laminated Glass Stack With Thickness Gradient for Glare Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite windows with electrically controllable sun visors face challenges in achieving optimal transparency and glare protection while maintaining aesthetic appeal and structural integrity, particularly in the edge regions where the functional elements interact with the transparent bodies.
Innovation Solution
A composite pane design featuring a stacking sequence of an outer pane, intermediate layers, a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties, and a transparent body arranged between the intermediate layers, which exerts pressure on the functional element's active layer, altering its transmission and scattering behavior, thereby enhancing visibility and glare protection without compromising the pane's stability or appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a functional element with electrically controllable optical properties is integrated into a laminated glass pane, then glare protection and sun control are improved, but the transmission behavior and aesthetic appearance in edge regions deteriorate due to unwanted scattering and visible boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a thickness gradient in the transparent body: the thickness varies from a first value at the boundary region to a second value in the central region. This gradient structure allows the edge regions to have different optical properties (reducing scattering and visibility) while the central region maintains the desired functional properties for glare protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical parameter of thickness continuously across the transparent body. By varying the thickness parameter from edge to center, the optical behavior changes accordingly - thinner edges reduce scattering and visibility, while the thicker center provides adequate glare protection when the functional element is activated.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the functional element is activated to provide glare protection, then scattering behavior is improved, but visibility in the central field of vision deteriorates due to excessive scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The thickness gradient creates local quality differences: edge regions with smaller thickness provide scattering control without affecting central visibility, while the central region with larger thickness maintains adequate light transmission for visibility when the functional element is activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by limiting the scattering effect to only the boundary regions where it is needed for aesthetic purposes, while the central region maintains sufficient transparency for visibility. The thickness variation ensures that scattering is excessive only where required (edges) and minimal where visibility is prioritized (center).
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 design effectively changes the transmission and scattering behavior of visible light, providing improved glare protection and aesthetic appeal by adjusting the thickness and arrangement of the transparent body, ensuring the functional element's performance across all switching states without impairing the central field of vision or structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
at least one transparent body (4) is arranged between the outer pane (1) and the functional element (5) and/or between the functional element (5) and the inner pane (2)... exerts pressure on the functional element's active layer, altering its transmission and scattering behavior
Implementation Method 2
The active layer contains liquid crystals embedded in a polymer matrix. When no voltage is applied, the liquid crystals are randomly oriented, resulting in strong scattering of the light passing through the active layer. When a voltage is applied to the surface electrodes, the liquid crystals align in a common direction, increasing the transmission of light through the active layer.
Implementation Method 3
functional element with electrically controllable optical properties... PDLC functional elements (polymer dispersed liquid crystal)... electrically controlling the sun visor
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 1C
Figure 2A~2D
AI summary
The present invention relates to a laminated pane (100) with a functional element (5) with electrically controllable optical characteristics, comprising: · a laminated stack sequence composed of an outer pane (1), a first intermediate layer (3a), a second intermediate layer (3b) and an inner pane (2), and · a functional element (5) with electrically controllable optical characteristics, which functional element is arranged at least in certain portions between the first intermediate layer (3a) and the second intermediate layer (3b), wherein at least one transparent body (4) is arranged in certain portions between the outer pane (1) and the functional element (5) and/or between the inner pane (2) and the functional element (5).