Nickel Dielectric Stack Solar Control Glazing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar control glazing technologies face challenges in maintaining thermal insulation and optical properties during heat treatments, such as bending or quenching, without cracking or significant degradation, especially when using metallic layers like silver, gold, or platinum, which are sensitive to humidity and not suitable for monolithic glazing.
Innovation Solution
A stack of thin layers comprising nickel, optionally nitrided, separated by dielectric material layers, with specific thicknesses and configurations to enhance resistance to heat treatments and maintain thermal insulation and optical properties, including a stack structure with a dielectric intermediate layer between nickel layers and a dielectric underlayer and overlayer for improved durability and aesthetic neutrality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silver, gold, or platinum metallic layers are used in solar control glazing, then thermal insulation properties are improved, but the glazing becomes sensitive to humidity and prone to cracking during heat treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive precious metals (silver, gold, platinum) with nickel, which is more resistant to humidity and heat treatment. While nickel may have slightly different optical properties, it provides comparable thermal insulation with significantly improved durability and resistance to environmental degradation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structures with nickel layers combined with dielectric materials (such as silicon nitride, silicon oxide, or aluminum oxide) to create a multi-layer stack. This composite approach maintains the thermal insulation properties while protecting the metallic layer from humidity and improving crack resistance during heat treatment.
2Reliability
If the metallic layer thickness is increased to improve thermal insulation, then low-emissivity properties are enhanced, but light transmission decreases and internal reflection increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the thickness parameters of the nickel layer and dielectric layers to achieve the desired balance. By precisely controlling the thickness of each layer (typically nickel layer: 5-20 nm, dielectric layers: 50-150 nm), the patent maintains low emissivity while preserving adequate light transmission and minimizing internal reflection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates different functional zones within the coating stack. The nickel layers provide thermal insulation and low-emissivity properties, while the dielectric layers are positioned to control light transmission and reduce internal reflection. This local differentiation of material properties optimizes overall performance.
3Strength
If the glazing undergoes heat treatment to improve mechanical strength, then resistance to impact is enhanced, but cracks appear in the coating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dielectric intermediate layers between the nickel layers and the glass substrate. These intermediate layers act as stress buffers that accommodate thermal expansion differences during heat treatment, preventing stress concentration and crack formation in the metallic coating while maintaining the integrity of the entire stack.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies the multi-layer coating structure before the heat treatment process. The dielectric layers are deposited in advance to provide stress relief during subsequent tempering or bending operations, preventing crack formation before they occur during mechanical strengthening.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If nickel layers are used instead of precious metals, then resistance to heat treatment and humidity is improved, but achieving neutral colorimetry becomes more challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines nickel layers with dielectric materials (silicon nitride, silicon oxide, aluminum oxide) to create a composite coating system. The dielectric layers help neutralize the coloration effect of nickel, achieving more neutral colorimetry while maintaining the improved resistance to heat treatment and humidity provided by the nickel-based structure.
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 proposed stack configuration allows for glazing that withstands heat treatments without cracking and maintains low emissivity, high light transmission, and neutral colorimetry, ensuring consistent solar protection and thermal insulation properties, suitable for both automotive and building applications.
Implementation Method 1
These layers act on solar and/or thermal radiation primarily by reflecting and/or absorbing near-infrared (solar) or far-infrared (thermal) radiation
Implementation Method 2
Such glazing with stacks of thin layers acts on incident solar radiation either essentially by absorption of the incident radiation by the functional layer(s), or essentially by reflection by these same layers
Implementation Method 3
They are grouped under the name solar control glazing. They are marketed and used primarily: either to primarily ensure protection of the passenger compartment (automobile) or dwelling from solar radiation and prevent overheating
Data Source
AI summary
A glazing having a solar control property comprising at least one glass substrate, said substrate being provided with a stack of layers, said glazing being characterised in that the stack comprises at least two functional layers essentially consisting of optionally nitrided nickel, each of said layers being separated from the next in the stack by an intermediate layer of a dielectric material or by a set of intermediate layers, the cumulative thickness of said intermediate layer or layers being between 5 and 45 nm.