Glazing with embedded microstructures for daylighting and seasonal thermal control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing glazing systems fail to simultaneously achieve reduced overheating in summer, reduced heating costs in winter, good light levels without glare, and high translucency and view towards the outside, as they either distort images, have low transmittance, require complex assembly, or are not cost-effective.
Innovation Solution
A glazing system with a two-component structure, featuring a parabolic reflective surface with a focus point on the second component, which redirects electromagnetic radiation based on incoming angles, allowing for angular dependent transmittance and reflection, and can be fabricated in a roll-to-roll process for embedded micro-structures, providing high transparency and seasonal thermal control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If prismatic structures are used to create angular dependent transmittance, then thermal control is improved, but transparency and image quality deteriorate due to distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The glazing is divided into multiple functional layers: transparent glass panels for image quality and separate microstructured elements (prisms or microlenses) for thermal control. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specialized function without compromising the other - the glass maintains transparency while the microstructures provide angular-dependent thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
Microstructured elements (prisms or microlenses) are introduced as intermediary components between the interior and exterior environments. These intermediaries manipulate thermal radiation through total internal reflection or focal concentration while being optically transparent to visible light, thus mediating thermal control without degrading image quality.
2Temperature
If prismatic structures with total internal reflection are used, then angular dependent transmittance is improved, but overall transmittance deteriorates due to symmetric reflection
Solution Approach 1:
The microstructured elements are designed with asymmetric geometries or selective orientations that create different optical paths for different directions of incident light. This asymmetry allows the structure to reflect thermal radiation from the interior while permitting greater transmission of exterior light, breaking the symmetric reflection pattern that causes equal transmittance loss in all directions.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the glazing system have different optical properties - the microstructured elements are strategically positioned and configured to provide strong total internal reflection for specific angular ranges while leaving other regions or angles with higher transmittance. This local differentiation optimizes the balance between thermal control and overall light transmission.
3Illumination intensity
If direct solar beam is transmitted, then daylighting is improved, but glare increases due to parallel beam transmission
Solution Approach 1:
Microlenses with curved surfaces are used to replace flat transparent structures. These curved microstructures refract and diffuse direct solar beams into wider angular distributions, transforming concentrated parallel beams into dispersed light patterns that illuminate deeper into the interior space while reducing glare intensity at any single location.
4Adaptability or versatility
If complex profile blinds are used for both redirection and angular dependent transmittance, then functionality is improved, but fabrication cost and thickness increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple functions (daylight redirection, angular-dependent thermal control, and glare reduction) are merged into a single integrated microstructured glazing system. The microprisms or microlenses simultaneously perform all these functions through their geometric design, eliminating the need for separate blind mechanisms and complex multi-component assemblies.
Solution Approach 2:
Mechanical blind systems with moving parts are replaced by static microstructured optical elements. The optical functionality previously requiring mechanical adjustment is achieved through fixed geometric structures that passively manipulate light and heat based on their shape and arrangement, eliminating mechanical complexity and maintenance requirements.
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 system effectively diffuses direct sunlight, maintains high solar gains in winter, minimizes summer overheating, and offers clear vision with high transparency, while being cost-effective and robust due to its embedded, static nature.
Implementation Method 1
Because of the difference in refraction indexes, total internal reflection occurs. Symmetry in the prism guarantees that electromagnetic radiation from this angular interval is then reflected back out of the system.
Implementation Method 2
Because of the difference in refraction indexes, total internal reflection occurs.
Data Source
AI summary
Glazing for daylighting and seasonal thermal control, said glazing being essentially made of a pane (25) defined between an outside-oriented interface (26) and an inside-oriented interface (27), said pane (25) comprising a first component (2) and a second component (3), wherein said first component (2) comprises a parabolic reflective surface with a focus point (F) located on said second component (3).