Photovoltaic Smart Window Control With Transparent Organic Solar Layers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current photovoltaic systems face challenges in achieving high transparency and low cost for transparent solar technology, particularly in integrating solar cells into window panes due to mechanical flexibility and high module costs, as well as absorption characteristics that limit their utility in visible spectrum applications.

Innovation Solution

A photovoltaic window system that integrates photovoltaic cells into glass units, including an electronics package for power generation, storage, and distribution, along with sensors and communication systems, allowing for self-powered operation and integration into building structures without external power sources, while maintaining high visible transmittance and flexibility.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Power

If inorganic semiconductor photovoltaic cells are used, then electricity generation efficiency is improved, but transparency and mechanical flexibility are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectricity generation efficiencyVSAvoidtransparency and mechanical flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from inorganic semiconductor to organic semiconductor, which fundamentally alters the absorption characteristics. Organic semiconductors exhibit structured absorption spectra with distinct minima and maxima, allowing optimization for specific wavelength ranges while maintaining transparency in the visible spectrum, thus resolving the contradiction between power generation and transparency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material structures including transparent conducting oxides (TCO), organic semiconductor layers, and electron transport layers. These composite structures enable the photovoltaic device to maintain both transparency and electrical functionality, overcoming the limitations of conventional inorganic semiconductor cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Power

If conventional photovoltaic systems are integrated into window panes, then renewable energy generation is improved, but module cost and mechanical flexibility are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverenewable energy generationVSAvoidmodule cost and mechanical flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes thin-film organic photovoltaic structures that can be integrated onto window panes. The organic semiconductor layers and flexible substrate design enable mechanical flexibility and ease of integration, reducing module cost while maintaining renewable energy generation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs low-cost organic semiconductor materials and simple device structures that can be manufactured at lower costs compared to conventional inorganic photovoltaic systems, making transparent solar windows economically viable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Quantity of substance

If organic semiconductors with strong visible absorption are used, then material availability is improved, but transparency for window glass applications is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvematerial availabilityVSAvoidvisible spectrum transmittance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing the organic semiconductor to have structured absorption with specific minima and maxima at different wavelengths. This allows the material to absorb strongly in certain regions (improving power generation) while remaining transparent in the visible spectrum (maintaining window functionality), thus resolving the contradiction between material availability and transparency.

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

Enables efficient energy harvesting and smart window functionality, such as sensor data collection and wireless communication, without compromising transparency or mechanical integrity, thus addressing the limitations of existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

Photovoltaic devices are commonly employed to convert light into electricity by using the photovoltaic effect, in which absorbed light causes the excitation of an electron or other charge carrier to a higher-energy state.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentUS11782408B2User control of smart home system

Publication Date: 2023.10.10 UBIQUITOUS ENERGY INC

AI summary

Described herein are systems, methods, devices, and other techniques for implementing smart windows, smart home systems that include smart windows, and user devices and applications for control thereof. A smart window, or photovoltaic window, may include a photovoltaic configured to generate electrical power from incident light onto the photovoltaic window, store the electrical power, and send the electrical power to an electronics package or various electrical loads including a wireless communication system, sensors, or window functions. The photovoltaic window may communicate with various smart home system devices such as hub devices and user devices, which may include the reception of control data at the photovoltaic window and the transmission of sensor data captured by the window sensors.