Low-Reflection Coating for Photoelectric Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing low-reflection coatings on glass substrates for photoelectric conversion devices are prone to damage or contamination during the production process, and they do not provide sufficient transmittance gain, limiting the efficiency of these devices.

Innovation Solution

A low-reflection coating comprising solid, spherical fine silica particles and a binder containing silica and an aluminum compound, applied after the photoelectric conversion device is produced, which offers a transmittance gain of 2.5% or more without the need for high-temperature treatment, and provides high salt spray resistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If a low-reflection coating is applied to a glass substrate for photoelectric conversion devices, then the transmittance gain is improved, but the coating is prone to damage or contamination during the production process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmittance gainVSAvoidcoating durability during production
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the low-reflection coating after the photoelectric conversion device is produced, rather than before. This preliminary action (applying coating post-assembly) prevents the coating from being damaged or contaminated during the production process, while still achieving the desired transmittance gain of 2.5% or more.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Illumination intensity

If conventional low-reflection coatings are used, then the coating can be applied, but the transmittance gain is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransmittance gainVSAvoidcoating performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of the coating composition by incorporating aluminum compounds into the binder, which enhances the transmittance gain to 2.5% or more. This parameter change in the coating formulation directly improves the coating performance without complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If high-temperature treatment is applied to the coating, then the coating properties can be improved, but the production process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoating stabilityVSAvoidproduction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the binder by adding aluminum compounds, which allows the coating to achieve high stability and salt spray resistance without requiring high-temperature treatment. This parameter change in composition eliminates the need for complex high-temperature processing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 coating achieves a significant transmittance gain and improved salt spray resistance, maintaining performance even after exposure to environmental conditions, enhancing the efficiency and durability of photoelectric conversion devices.

Implementation Method 1

a porous film including: fine silica particles being solid and spherical; and a binder containing silica as a main component... The porous film has a physical thickness of 80 to 800 nm

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection and refraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentEP3162773B1Substrate provided with low-reflection coating, method for its production and photoelectric conversion device containing it.
Publication Date: 2020.08.12 NIPPON SHEET GLASS CO LTD
  • EP3162773B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3162773B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A low-reflection coating of the present invention is a porous film including fine silica particles being solid and spherical and having an average particle diameter of 80 to 150 nm; and a binder containing silica as a main component, the fine silica particles being bound together by the binder. The binder further contains an aluminum compound. The low-reflection coating contains, as components, 55 to 70 mass% of the fine silica particles, 25 to 40 mass% of the silica of the binder, and 2 to 7 mass% of the aluminum compound in terms of Al2O3. The low-reflection coating has a thickness of 80 to 800 nm. The low-reflection coating yields a transmittance gain of 2.5% or more when provided on the substrate. The transmittance gain represents an increase in average transmittance of the substrate provided with the low-reflection coating relative to the substrate not provided with the low-reflection coating, the average transmittance being measured in the wavelength range of 380 to 850 nm.