Insulating Glazing Spacer With Integrated Photovoltaic Grooves
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spacers for photovoltaic applications in insulated glazing units (IGUs) lack efficient integration of photovoltaic elements and reliable electrical connections, which hinders the effective collection and transmission of solar energy, particularly with luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) panes that have higher thermal expansion coefficients.
Innovation Solution
A spacer design featuring a plastic body with reinforcing fibers and a gas barrier, incorporating grooves for photovoltaic elements and electrically conductive portions that allow for secure attachment and electrical connection of LSC panes, along with elastic elements to compensate for thermal expansion and movement, ensuring continuous energy collection without breaking the hermetic seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If photovoltaic elements are integrated into the spacer, then solar energy collection capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the spacer structure with photovoltaic elements into a single integrated component. The spacer body incorporates grooves that receive photovoltaic elements, and electrically conductive portions that provide electrical connections, merging the mechanical support function with energy collection and transmission functions into one unified structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spacer is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support and spacing between glass panes, collects solar energy through integrated photovoltaic elements, transmits electrical energy through conductive portions, and accommodates thermal expansion through elastic elements. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the spacer a universal component that handles both structural and energy-related tasks.
2Use of energy by moving object
If LSC panes are used with higher thermal expansion coefficients, then optical energy collection is improved, but reliability of the sealed interspace deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces elastic elements that change their physical state in response to thermal expansion. These elements are designed to deform elastically when the LSC pane expands due to thermal effects, allowing the system to accommodate parameter changes (thermal expansion) without compromising the hermetic seal or structural integrity of the IGU.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic elements act as pre-positioned cushioning components that anticipate and accommodate thermal expansion before it can cause damage. By incorporating these elements in advance, the design prevents potential seal failures or structural issues that would otherwise result from the high thermal expansion coefficients of LSC materials.
3Reliability
If electrically conductive portions are added to the spacer, then electrical connection capability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The spacer employs composite construction by integrating electrically conductive portions into the non-conductive spacer body. This allows the single component to exhibit both electrical conductivity where needed and electrical insulation where required, simplifying manufacturing by eliminating the need for separate conductive elements and reducing assembly steps while maintaining reliable electrical connections.
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 spacer effectively integrates photovoltaic elements and LSC panes, enabling efficient solar energy collection and transmission while accommodating thermal expansion, maintaining a sealed and functional IGU.
Implementation Method 1
The spacer comprises at least one elastic body arranged in the groove, which is adapted to compensate for movements of the intermediate glazing pane
Implementation Method 2
The spacer comprises one or plural photovoltaic elements arranged in the groove
Data Source
AI summary
A spacer for a multi-pane insulating glazing unit includes a spacer body made from a first material with first and second hollow desiccant chambers extending in a longitudinal direction and a longitudinal groove between the first and second chambers open to a first side of the spacer for holding an intermediate pane of the glazing unit, the groove being delimited in a width direction by first and second side walls and having a bottom wall, and the spacer body having a gas barrier on a second side opposite the first side. The first side wall and/or the second side wall and/or the bottom wall of the groove include at least two electrically conductive portions electrically isolated from each other and configured to make electrical contact with at least one electrical contact of the intermediate pane.