Low-E Window Coating Structure for Matte Gray Heat Insulation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing window materials lack effective heat resistance, moisture resistance, and abrasion resistance while maintaining visible light transmittance and reflectivity for energy-saving purposes, particularly in achieving a matte gray appearance.

Innovation Solution

A functional building material for windows featuring a low-emissivity coating with a multilayer structure comprising a low-emissivity layer, a light-absorbing metal layer, and dielectric layers, including chromium nitride, which selectively reflects far-infrared rays and provides excellent heat insulation, while achieving a matte gray color index and suitable visible light transmittance and reflectivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a low-emissivity layer containing silver is deposited to reflect infrared radiation and preserve energy, then energy-saving effect is improved, but the glass becomes susceptible to oxidation and reduced durability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenergy-saving effectVSAvoidoxidation resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A dielectric layer is introduced as an intermediary between the silver low-emissivity layer and the external environment. This dielectric layer serves as a protective barrier that prevents oxidation of the silver while maintaining the infrared reflection capability, thus preserving both energy-saving performance and durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure combining the silver low-emissivity layer with a dielectric layer. This composite material approach allows the silver to provide thermal reflection while the dielectric material provides oxidation resistance, achieving both energy efficiency and long-term reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If a dielectric layer is deposited to protect the low-emissivity layer from oxidation, then oxidation resistance is improved, but visible light transmittance may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoxidation resistanceVSAvoidvisible light transmittance
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the thickness and refractive index parameters of the dielectric layer to achieve the right balance. By carefully controlling these parameters, the dielectric layer provides adequate oxidation protection while maintaining sufficient visible light transmittance for practical window applications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Temperature

If multiple layers are added to achieve matte gray appearance and improve heat resistance, then heat resistance and appearance are improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat resistanceVSAvoidlayer structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the coating into distinct functional layers: a low-emissivity layer for infrared reflection, a dielectric layer for oxidation protection, and additional layers for heat resistance and matte gray appearance. Each layer performs a specific function, allowing the complex performance requirements to be met through modular layer design rather than a single complex material

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 material exhibits excellent heat resistance, moisture resistance, and abrasion resistance, while maintaining energy-saving properties by minimizing heat transfer and achieving a matte gray appearance, thus reducing energy consumption.

Implementation Method 1

a low-emissivity layer which selectively reflects far-infrared rays among the solar radiant rays

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation reflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

exhibit excellent heat insulating performance by Roy (Low-e; low emissivity) effect which results from the low emissivity characteristics of the low-emissivity coating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Implementation Method 3

a lower light-absorbing layer, a light-absorbing metal layer wherein the lower-light absorbing layer comprises a chromium nitride

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 4

a dielectric layer is deposited as an oxidation-resistant membrane on the upper and lower portions of the low-emissivity layer

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxidation resistance: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP3505715B1Functional building material for windows
Publication Date: 2023.10.04 LG HAUSYS LTD
  • EP3505715B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3505715B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3505715B1 patent drawing

AI summary

Provided is a matte gray functional building material for windows, comprising: a transparent glass substrate; and a low-emissivity coating formed on one surface of the transparent glass substrate, wherein the low-emissivity coating comprises a lower light-absorbing layer, a light-absorbing metal layer, and a low-emissivity layer, the lower light-absorbing layer comprises chromium nitride and has a color index a* value of -5 to 5 and a color index b* value of -5 to 5, which are measured by means of a colorimeter for visible light transmitting color, the other surface of the transparent glass substrate, on which the low-emissivity coating is not coated, has a color index a* value of -5 to 5, a color index b* of -5 to 5, which are measured by means of a colorimeter for reflected color, and has a visible transmittance of 20-60%, and the visible reflectivity of the other surface of the transparent glass substrate, on which the low-emissivity coating is not coated, is 1-15%.