Opacifying Device Conductive Track Printing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing opacifying devices for transparent windows or walls face challenges in achieving good electrical contact due to difficult conductor fastening and added thickness, which complicates mounting and integration.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a polarizable part with conductive and insulating layers, where cover layers with conductive tracks are separately prepared and secured using screen printing and baking to create a flat, robust assembly with easy access for voltage application, reducing thickness and ensuring good electrical conductivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conductors are fastened on conductive layers to apply voltage, then electrical contact is achieved, but the fastening operation is difficult to carry out and extra thickness is added

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact qualityVSAvoidfastening operation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical fastening system (screws, clips, or adhesive bonding of copper plates) with a direct printing system where conductive ink is deposited directly onto the conductive layers through the insulating layers. This eliminates the need for separate fastening operations and reduces assembly complexity while maintaining electrical contact quality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses thin insulating layers that allow conductive ink to be printed through them, creating conductive tracks that make electrical contact with the underlying conductive layers. This thin-film approach eliminates the need for thick copper plates and complex fastening mechanisms, reducing overall device thickness while ensuring reliable electrical contact.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Reliability

If copper plates are used as conductors, then good electrical contact is ensured, but the opacifying device thickness increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical contact qualityVSAvoiddevice thickness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces thick copper plates with thin insulating layers (few micrometers to sub-millimeter thickness) that are printed with conductive ink. This thin-film approach maintains electrical conductivity while dramatically reducing the thickness contribution from the conductor layers, enabling a flatter overall device profile.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where insulating layer material is combined with conductive ink to form a functionally integrated conductor. This composite approach eliminates the need for separate copper plate layers, reducing total thickness while maintaining electrical contact quality through the printed conductive paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Ease of operation

If insulating layers are removed to access conductive layers, then voltage application is enabled, but conductor fastening becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevoltage application accessVSAvoidconductor fastening complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical access system (removing insulating layers and fastening conductors) with a printing system where conductive ink is deposited through the insulating layers. This eliminates the need to physically access or remove insulating layers, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining voltage application capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the insulating layers themselves as an intermediary medium that allows conductive ink to pass through and make contact with underlying conductive layers. This eliminates the need to remove the insulating layers for access, as they serve as both protective insulation and a transmission medium for the conductive paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 method facilitates easy handling and integration of the opacifying device into transparent glazing systems by ensuring good electrical contact and minimal thickness, allowing for varying opacity with reduced surface area and improved conductivity.

Implementation Method 1

the printing of the conductive entity is carried out by screen printing

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectScreen printing:

Implementation Method 2

The adhesion of the conductive track is facilitated by this type of deposit

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS20240369862A1Method for manufacturing and opacifying device for windows

Publication Date: 2024.11.07 VISION SYST LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing an opacifying device for windows or walls that are at least partially transparent, the manufacturing method including the following steps: obtaining a polarizable part including a central layer, two conducting layers surrounding the central layer, and two insulating layers surrounding the conducting layers; removing a portion of the polarizable part; obtaining two covering layers made from an electrically insulating material; depositing a conducting entity on each covering layer; securing the covering layers to the polarizable part, each conducting track having a free portion outside of the electrical connection access and able to be electrically connected to an external conductor.