Galvanic Isolation Layer for Panel Antenna Heating

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing glass panes with integrated antennas and heating functions face limitations due to high signal losses from capacitive coupling across thick glass, restricting the arrangement and efficiency of both antenna and heating conductors.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of electrically conductive structures with a galvanic isolating layer, allowing capacitive coupling without direct electrical contact, enabling efficient antenna and heating functions while maintaining galvanic isolation for DC voltages, and using a capacitive coupling element to enhance antenna characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If capacitive coupling is implemented across thick glass to enable antenna and heating functions, then both functions can be integrated on the glass surface, but significant signal loss occurs reducing antenna efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration of antenna and heating functionsVSAvoidsignal loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

A capacitive coupling element is introduced as an intermediary component between the antenna conductor and heating conductor. This coupling element includes a first electrode connected to the antenna conductor, a second electrode connected to the heating conductor, and a dielectric layer between them. The coupling element enables efficient capacitive coupling with minimal signal loss while maintaining galvanic isolation between the antenna and heating functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If antenna and heating conductors are directly coupled across glass thickness, then capacitive coupling is achieved, but arrangement freedom is limited due to direct opposition requirement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapacitive coupling efficiencyVSAvoidarrangement freedom
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The capacitive coupling element is positioned on the same surface of the glass as both the antenna and heating conductors, rather than coupling conductors across the glass thickness. This dimensional change allows the conductors to be arranged freely on the surface while achieving efficient capacitive coupling through the coupling element, thereby maintaining both coupling efficiency and arrangement freedom.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If galvanic isolation is maintained between antenna and heating conductors, then DC voltage isolation is achieved, but direct electrical connection for efficient coupling is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegalvanic isolationVSAvoidenergy transmission efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system employs different coupling mechanisms in different locations: galvanic isolation (direct electrical connection) is used where high power transmission is needed (heating function), while capacitive coupling is used where signal transmission is needed (antenna function). The capacitive coupling element provides local capacitive coupling that maintains galvanic isolation while enabling efficient energy transmission for the antenna function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 solution improves antenna reception and heating performance by reducing signal losses and providing flexibility in the arrangement of conductive structures, achieving efficient energy transmission and effective moisture removal.

Implementation Method 1

the electrically conductive structures are capacitively coupled to one another via the coupling element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 2

When an electrical voltage is applied between the busbars, Joule heating is generated on the pane surface

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectJoule heating: Joule Heating

Implementation Method 3

The length of the electrically conductive structures with antenna function is preferably a multiple or a fraction of the wavelength of the frequencies to be transmitted, particularly half or a quarter of the wavelength

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2465164B1Panel having electrically conductive structures
Publication Date: 2020.01.01 SAINT GOBAIN VITRAGE SA
  • EP2465164B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2465164B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2465164B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a panel having electrically conductive structures, comprising a panel (1) having at least two electrically conductive structures (2a, 2b) galvanically separated from each other, a galvanic separating layer (5) at least on one of the electrically conductive structures (2a, 2b), and an electrical conductor (4) on the galvanic separating layer (5), wherein the galvanic separating layer (5) galvanically separates the electrical conductor (4) from at least one of the electrically conductive structures (2a, 2b). The invention further relates to a method for producing and to a novel use of the panel.