Laminated Glazing Functional Coating for Neutral Color
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing selective glazed units with functional coatings developed for double glazed applications cannot be used in laminated configurations due to aesthetic issues, as they do not provide neutral or blue-green colors when the coating is in contact with the lamination interlayer, leading to different optical and colorimetric properties compared to when it is in contact with the interlayer gas gap.
Innovation Solution
A laminable material with a functional coating comprising three silver layers and specific dielectric coatings, optimized to maintain equivalent optical properties whether in a double glazed or laminated configuration, by adjusting the thicknesses of the silver and dielectric layers to ensure similar light transmission and reflection characteristics.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If existing functional coatings developed for double glazed units are used in laminated configurations, then solar control performance is achieved, but aesthetic quality deteriorates with red or angled turquoise colors and strong angular variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the optical parameters of the functional coating by adjusting the thickness and composition of dielectric layers (Di1, Di2, Di3, Di4) surrounding the silver-based metallic layers. Specifically, the dielectric coating Di1 has an optical thickness Eo1 of less than 80 nm, Di2 has Eo2 of less than 160 nm, Di3 has Eo3 of less than 160 nm, and Di4 has Eo4 of less than 60 nm, with the ratio Eo2/Eo1 greater than 1.70. These parameter changes compensate for the different optical index between lamination interlayer (1.5) and gas gap (1.0), maintaining neutral or blue-green colors without strong angular variation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different dielectric coating thicknesses at different positions within the functional coating structure. Each dielectric coating (Di1, Di2, Di3, Di4) has specifically controlled optical thickness values tailored to its position relative to the silver layers, creating local optical quality variations that collectively achieve the desired overall aesthetic appearance in laminated configurations.
2Loss of energy
If functional coating is optimized for double glazed units with gas gap interface, then optimal solar control is achieved, but optical properties differ when contact is made with lamination interlayer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal functional coating design that maintains consistent optical properties across different application configurations (double glazed units and laminated units). By incorporating four dielectric coatings with specifically controlled optical thicknesses, the coating adapts its optical behavior to compensate for the different interface environments (gas gap vs. lamination interlayer), achieving both solar control efficiency and optical consistency in both applications.
3Reliability
If different functional coatings are maintained for double glazed and laminated applications, then optimal performance in each configuration is achieved, but inventory complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent develops a single universal functional coating formulation that can be used for both double glazed units and laminated units. The coating maintains optimal solar control performance and desired aesthetic appearance in both configurations through its specially designed dielectric layer structure, eliminating the need for manufacturers to maintain separate inventory lines for different application types.
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 allows for materials with high light transmission and neutral aesthetic effects in both double glazed and laminated forms, reducing inventory complexity for manufacturers and ensuring visually similar appearance across configurations, with specific light transmission and reflection values.
Implementation Method 1
a functional coating which can influence solar radiation and/or infrared radiation
Implementation Method 2
a functional coating which can influence solar radiation and/or infrared radiation
Implementation Method 3
The optical and colorimetric properties are different depending on whether the functional coating is in contact with the interlayer gas gap or the lamination interlayer. This is due to the differences in optical index existing between the gas gap (1.0) and the interlayer (1.5).
Data Source
AI summary
A material includes a transparent substrate coated with a functional coating, including, consecutively from the substrate, an alternation of three silver-based functional metal layers and four dielectric coatings (Di1, Di2, Di3 and Di4) which each have an optical thickness Eo1, Eo2, Eo3 and Eo4, each dielectric coating comprising at least one dielectric layer so that each functional metal layer is arranged between two dielectric coatings. The dielectric coating Di1 has an optical thickness Eo1 of less than 80 nm. The dielectric coating Di2 has an optical thickness Eo2 of less than 160 nm. The dielectric coating Di3 has an optical thickness Eo3 of less than 160 nm. The dielectric coating Di4 has an optical thickness Eo4 of less than 60 nm. Eo2/Eo1 is greater than 1.70 including this value. The thickness of the second functional metal layer is less than 12 nm. The thickness ratio Ag3/Ag1 is ≥1.20.