Laminated Panel Structure for Automotive Glazing Heat Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Polycarbonate resin compositions used in glazing panels for automotive applications absorb near-infrared to infrared light, leading to heat storage and increased interior temperatures due to poor thermal conductivity, causing discomfort and energy inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A laminated panel structure is introduced, comprising a light-transmissive heat-insulating layer and a light-absorbing heat-storing IR-absorbing layer, where the IR-absorbing layer is positioned on the exterior and the heat-insulating layer on the interior, along with a thermally conductive frame member to radiate heat away from the panel body, reducing heat storage and temperature rise.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If a transparent panel body with near-infrared to infrared absorptivity is used to decrease total solar transmittance, then heat-ray shielding ability is improved, but heat storage and interior temperature increase occur due to poor thermal conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat-ray shielding abilityVSAvoidinterior temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The panel body is divided into multiple layers with different functions: an IR-absorbing layer for heat-ray shielding and a heat-insulating layer for thermal isolation. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function optimally without compromising the other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A heat-insulating layer is introduced as an intermediary between the IR-absorbing layer and the vehicle interior. This intermediary layer prevents heat transfer from the IR-absorbing layer to the interior space, solving the contradiction between heat absorption and heat storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Strength

If polycarbonate resin composition is used for the panel body, then impact resistance is improved, but thermal conductivity remains poor leading to heat storage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimpact resistanceVSAvoidheat storage

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The panel uses a composite structure combining polycarbonate resin (for impact resistance) with heat-insulating materials (for thermal management). The composite structure maintains the mechanical advantages of polycarbonate while adding thermal isolation capabilities to prevent heat storage

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Temperature

If a laminated structure with IR-absorbing layer and heat-insulating layer is used, then heat storage is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat storageVSAvoidpanel structure

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The IR-absorbing layer and heat-insulating layer are merged into a single integrated panel body structure that can be produced as one piece through injection molding. This merging reduces assembly complexity while maintaining the functional benefits of the laminated structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 effectively prevents temperature increases due to IR absorption, enhances mechanical properties, reduces material costs, and improves energy efficiency by minimizing the need for cooling, while maintaining visibility and impact resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a light-transmissive heat-insulating layer... the heat-insulating layer on the interior

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 2

a light-absorbing heat-storing IR-absorbing layer... near-infrared to infrared absorptivity

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 3

a thermally conductive frame member to radiate heat away from the panel body

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentEP2740590B1Panel and panel installation structure

Publication Date: 2021.03.31 MITSUBISHI ENG PLASTICS CORP

Figure 1
Figure 2(a)~2(b)
Figure 3(a)~3(c)

AI summary

The present invention provides a panel having a light-absorbing heat-storing panel body in which the problem of heat storage with light absorption by the panel body is reduced. A panel 51A includes a panel body 52A made of a thermoplastic resin and having light transmissivity and the light-absorbing heat-storing property of absorbing light, converting the light to heat, and storing the heat therein. The panel body 52A has a laminated structure including a light-transmissive first layer 2a and a light-transmissive second layer 2b laminated on the first layer 2a and having the higher light-absorbing heat-storing property than the first layer 2a. The light-absorbing heat-storing panel body 52A has a laminated structure including at least two layers of the layer 2b that contributes to IR absorption and the layer 2a that serves as a heat-insulating layer so that radiation of the heat stored due to IR absorption by the layer 2b contributing to IR absorption can be shielded by the heat-insulating layer 2a, and thus a temperature rise due to radiant heat from the panel body 52A can be prevented.